From global to local: Investigation of necessary engineering skills for KBE transformation in Qatar in the context of global engineering attributes

This paper provides the findings of a study on investigating the required contextual engineering skills in Qatar in light of the global engineering skills. A set of 20 attributes were identified in the literature, and surveys were implemented to measure the importance of these skills in Qatar. The targeted groups spanned from students, practicing engineers, senior industrial engineers, and academicians. The basic logic behind surveying various engineering groups was mainly to evaluate the capabilities of the current engineering labor force as well as evaluating the potential of the future engineering supply (current students). The main findings indicated the consensus of participating groups on the importance of enhancing communication skills. High perceptual gaps were identified in communication skills, business and entrepreneurship and practical skills. Remedy actions that were proposed so that the future supply of engineers is featured by required and desired level of selected skills.