Why Should Engineering Educators in Search of Quality and Excellence Look Beyond Learning Outcomes to Refer to a Global "Model"?

This proposal of a global model for engineering education is the outcome of a project, subsidised by the European Union, whose aim was to define a new label for excellence in engineering education in Europe (QUESTE). It appeared necessary during the project to elaborate a comprehensive frame which could be used by all engineering programmes, to describe their variety, and to give a solid ground to assess the achievement of their objectives. 

The value of this proposal has been confirmed through an analysis of a wide range of existing practices, such as the CDIO model and the reference frameworks used by the three Dutch technical universities. 

It may be considered as a smart tool, for the management and external promotion of engineering education, but also as an attempt to cast a new vision on an activity which has kept years after years a rather traditional figure.