Texas A&M University at Qatar and Maersk Oil Qatar promote engineering leadership at WCEE 2013

The event, sponsored by Maersk Oil Qatar, attracted engineering leaders, educators and innovators from top engineering institutions around the world and is set to become the preeminent gathering for engineering professionals and academics. The event runs through 9 January.

Monday's congress opening featured a welcoming ceremony with addresses by HBKU President and QF Vice President for Education, His Excellency Sheikh Dr. Abdulla bin Ali Al-Thani; Texas A&M at Qatar Dean and CEO, Dr. Mark H. Weichold; and Lewis Affleck, Managing Director of Maersk Oil Qatar.

The day's program highlights included a leaders' track, educators' track, and a partnerships and collaborations track that addressed the role of industry, critical thinking, ethics and entrepreneurship to the future of engineering education. Featured topics incorporated discussions on cultural diversity and excellence in engineering education, global opportunities and challenges, the role of technology in engineering education, required skills for engineers and the role of internships and industry, among others.

His Excellency Dr. Sheikh Abdulla Ali bin Al-Thani, spoke at the congress opening ceremony, saying, "It is a privilege for me, as Honorary Chair, to address this opening session of the inaugural World Congress on Engineering Education. I am an engineer myself and I welcome the inauguration of this congress, above all, because I believe strongly in the importance of engineering to the advancement of human development. Our purpose is to constantly improve engineering education, so that the discipline can meet the demands being placed upon it, and can consequently enhance quality of life for people the world over. We do this by providing a platform for the exchange of ideas and good practices, and we reach out to decision-makers and influencers in many areas to engage them in our debates and turn them into ambassadors for our cause."

"I think the workshops and the congress program overall indicate the holistic and practical approach being taken here to engineering education," he continued. "I hope this spirit will endure. The congress can be a forum to share new thinking, but it should be directed toward making a positive difference for the future of engineering and society. To do this, it must be inclusive, outward-looking and far-sighted. We have a duty to engage in the great issues of our times - socially, politically and morally - to ensure that we continue to be a force for good that benefits all mankind and we must educate the next generation of engineers to do likewise."

Dr. Mark H. Weichold, Texas A&M at Qatar dean and CEO and congress general chair, said, "Today, Texas A&M at Qatar and Maersk Oil Qatar were able to bring together some of the world's foremost experts on challenges and innovations that affect engineering education, and discuss solutions and research meant to address the future growth of the field. This is no ordinary gathering of scholars, but a vibrant and dynamic mix of professionals whose daily work influences the current and next generations of engineers. The theories, research and technologies discussed today have a very real bearing on how engineering education will evolve and develop in the near future. Many thanks to those who have joined and shared with us today and for the support of the learning and teaching communities who have contributed to this very important discussion."

WCEE is the first congress of its kind in Qatar and features speakers from five continents, five members of the National Academy of Engineering, five heads of professional engineering societies, four heads of engineering education societies and over 80 speakers. It acts as a catalyst to foster engineering and engineering technology education in the region and beyond, and will provide a forum for researchers, engineers and academics from all over the world to present and disseminate their research results and development activities concerning modern engineering education.

Mr. Lewis Affleck, Managing Director of Maersk Oil in Qatar said: "Maersk Oil Qatar recognizes the importance of nurturing and developing local talent and are pleased to work with Texas A & M University on the WCEE 2013, which will help to share good-practices in engineering education, and therefore benefit educational institutions - and future engineering students - here in Qatar".

"This event also supports Qatar's goal to become a knowledge based society with world-class academics institutions. It will also provide a platform to exchange ideas about effective techniques and pedagogies to prepare the new generations of engineers for the global challenges." Added Lewis.

WCEE presents three days of workshops, panels, invited talks and peer-reviewed papers, as well as 30 different sessions and workshops that address a diverse range of topics across the engineering field.

Vendors showcasing innovations in engineering equipment and software for labs are participating in an exhibition that is open to the public.