Engineering Technology Education: IEEE Views and Concerns

Over a period of several years, differences of opinion have developed between individuals calling themselves engineers and individuals calling themselves engineering technologists. The most recent concerns of one group of IEEE members focus on baccalaureate programs in engineering technology. Their principal concern appears to be that baccalaureate programs in engineering technology are being confused with baccalaureate programs in engineering. One manner of resolving this perceived problem is to delete the word "engineer" or "engineering" from material describing baccalaureate programs in engineering technology. During 1979, two IEEE Educational Activities Board committees studied the issue. The report of the second committee, dated January 5, 1980, was received and endorsed by EAB in February 1980. This report has been widely discussed and is included as part of this issue of the IEEE Transactions on Education. (Note: The report of the first committee was published in the Transactions on Education, vol. E-23, no. 1, February 1980.) The recommendations of the committee as given in the report included several items that have been implemented since the report was prepared. In August 1981, the IEEE Board of Directors approved an "IEEE Position on Engineering Technology." This, together with the "Steps to hnplement the IEEE Position on Engineering Technology," are included as Appendixes to this paper.