Building on 3 highly successful events to date, engineering and technology leaders from the private sector and education, NGOs and government will gather over 4 days to reflect, exchange and propose solutions to critical issues in a unique, interactive format allowing every voice to be heard, and every idea expressed.
See ProgramThe GEDC Industry Forum leverages collective knowledge and experience, developing an influential, meaningful dialogue among participants. From socially conscious engineering and ethics to micro credentials and open innovation, the content and ideas which emerge from the event address the most important issues of our time.
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Dean of Engineering, American University of Sharjah, UAE and Chair GEDC
The world of education is undergoing profound change as a result of the unprecedented challenges we are experiencing right now. Engineering communities are emerging as leaders of the change, and there will be much to share and discuss in September.
Over 4 days, more than 120 engineering and technology leaders from 25 countries across 5 continents gathered online in the first virtual GEDC Industry Forum.
Engineering deans and leaders from academia, non-profit organizations, government and private sector connected via Zoom over four days, exchanging ideas on possible ways forward to adapt engineering education to a changing world.
This edition of the GEDC Industry Forum organised by the GEDC, Petrus and McMaster University Faculty of Engineering, has the most participants in its three-year history.
The Global Engineering Deans Council (GEDC) was created on 9th May 2008 in Paris as a recognition of the global need for a world-wide forum of engineering deans and rectors. The main goal of the GEDC is to provide engineering deans and rectors with ideas, tools, and “best practices” necessary to become innovative leaders of engineering education.
Petrus Communications is a multi-award-winning international agency that specialises in connecting our clients with students and universities. We create innovative and impactful projects that bring together leading companies, students and the global education community. We enable young people to fulfill their potential by making the many exciting opportunities the world holds more visible and more attainable.
Ranked among the world’s top engineering schools, the Faculty of Engineering plays a significant role in helping McMaster University earn its reputation as one of Canada’s most innovative universities. The faculty places an emphasis on experiential, problem-based learning and an interdisciplinary approach to collaboration, resulting in smarter insights, ground-breaking ideas and greater optimism.
Previous participants have come from a wide range of engineering and technology specializations across education and the private sector; from FTSE 100 leaders to dynamic tech start-ups. Typical attendees include President, Vice-Rector, Dean and Director of Education; R&D or HR Director, CEO, HO Engineering Innovation or Technology.
Global online community
Invited participants
Deans / Industry leaders
Countries represented
Gender balance
Of previous delegates would like to participate again
The Industry Forum was designed not to be solely an occasion for input from expert panellists but also to create a platform where a learned community made up of both industry and academic leaders would come together to build on this collective experience and know-how.
Senior Director, Global Academic Program, Siemens
A very unique opportunity for academic and industry leaders to engage on emerging trends and best practices in engineering education.
Panelists representing industry, education, and the publicsector, share their experience and insights on a topic relevant to one of theevent themes. The panelists are deliberately chosen to represent a range ofperspectives and their presentations are structured not simply to ‘inform’participants but to stimulate discussion and debate among all attendees.
Director of Global Partnership Program, Huawei
One of the benefits of the Industry Forum is to be connected to the elite circle of international engineering educators, to learn about the experiences of both industry partners and academia.
Ahead of the event, a diverse and truly global cohort of up to 120 selected students will work together in teams to re-design how we learn, work and live in the future. The best student presentations will be shared with Industry Forum delegates for inspiration.
Dean of School of Engineering, Campbell University
Truly unique and engaging. The Industry Forum provided a great platform for helping attendees truly get to know one another and share ideas, generate future collaborations and more.
Vice President, Product Marketing Academic, Customer Education, Software, National Instruments
The GEDC Industry Forum gave an excellent opportunity to discuss and generate ideas on how universities and industries can work together to better prepare students for their careers.
Participants are divided into several groups, each of which is tasked with designing solutions to challenges identified under one of the event themes, and then presenting these solutions to the whole group in creative and engaging ways at the end of the Forum.
On the final day of the Industry Forum, delegates showcase their ideas on how to turn the present into the future with a series of team presentations. Groups are encouraged to be as creative and innovative in the format of their presentations as in their content.
Inspire and be inspired
The right balance of input and group work ensures we hear from global experts, while highly innovative sessions designed to facilitate peer-to-peer learning lead to the creation of valuable new ideas.
Make a difference
The Industry Forum is designed for participants come together to create pioneering solutions to some of the biggest global challenges shared by engineering and technology employers, educators and innovators.
At your fingertips
Attending is easy. The online format with recorded sessions makes it easier than ever to share content and collaborate.
Have fun
GEDC Industry Forum participants will be involved in highly creative and innovative group work sessions facilitated by renowned global specialists.
Collaborate
Delve into the priorities and pressures that your counterparts in industry, education and the start-up sector are facing and contribute to an open dialogue in a trusting environment that turns differences into assets.
Share and gather expertise
The Industry Forum’s innovative format ensures that every single voice is heard, creating a unique opportunity to leverage collective knowledge whilst developing an influential and meaningful dialogue.
Inspire and be inspired
The right balance of input and group work ensures we hear from global experts, while highly innovative sessions designed to facilitate peer-to-peer learning lead to the creation of valuable new ideas.
Make a difference
The Industry Forum is designed for participants to create pioneering solutions together to some of the biggest global challenges shared by engineering and technology employers, educators and innovators.
At your fingertips
Attending is easy. The online format with recorded sessions makes it easier than ever to share content and collaborate.
Have fun
The GEDC Industry Forum participants get involved with highly creative and innovative group work sessions facilitated by renowned global specialists.
Collaborate
Delve into the priorities and pressures that your counterparts in industry, education and the start-up sector are facing and contribute to an open dialogue in a trusting environment that turns differences into assets.
Share and gather expertise
The Industry Forum’s innovative format ensures that every single voice is heard, creating a great opportunity to leverage collective knowledge whilst developing an influential and meaningful dialogue.
The GEDC Industry Forum provides the opportunity to bring together leading thinkers to discuss how best to transform engineering education and strengthen ties between academia and the private and public sectors. As a champion of research and education with impact, the Faculty of Engineering at McMaster University is proud to host this influential and forward-thinking event that will explore solutions for a changed world. We anticipate that the outcomes of this first-ever virtual forum will spark crucial discussions that will bring hope and agency to engineering education along with facilitating strategies and implementations.
Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Professor of Mechanical Engineering, McMaster University
The 2020 Industry Forum has now come to an end. With over 130 participants from 5 continents including engineering deans, industry leaders and technology start ups it was a highly interactive and dynamic event concluding with the presentation of 9 brilliant ideas on how to improve engineering education for the future. We’d be delighted to hear from more potential participants and contributors so do please stay in touch by signing up for news or contacting: contact@gedc-industryforum.com
A small number of engaging, interactive sponsorship opportunities are available to support the event, our publications and outreach activity. Find out more here or contact dominic@petruscommunications.com
The Global Engineering Deans Council is a remarkable resource and network for leaders in engineering education – find out more about becoming a member of the GEDC here.
