The university education and industrial training of engineers, with particular reference to telecommunications

Abstract

The paper calls for a reconsideration of the aims of university courses for prospective engineers, with particular reference to prospective telecommunication engineers. It is argued that the situation created by the extremely rapid growth of scientific knowledge necessitates a more effective co-ordination of the engineering and physics teaching at the undergraduate stage and the introduction of full-time postgraduate courses. It is suggested that entry to an undergraduate engineering course should be preceded in all cases by a year of general practical training in industry and to a postgraduate course in Telecommunications by a year of experience in the practice of that branch of engineering work. Reference is also made to the need for greater attention to the development of student personality and of a sense of responsibility in social matters, and to the desirability of making greater provision for the transfer of outstanding National Certificate students to full-time university courses.