ALIGNING STAKEHOLDER NEEDS WITH PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS USING A MULTI-STAKEHOLDER SURVEY

From the 2020/21, the School of Engineering at the University of Navarra joined the CDIO network. This paper describes the first step of the process of adapting the programs to the CDIO paradigm: the extent of compliance of the implemented programs with the key components of the CDIO syllabus as well as the extent to which these programs provide graduates with skills specified in the CDIO syllabus. Multiple approaches to data collection were used. The skills and competencies of the different engineering programs were mapped against the components of the CDIO syllabus. This was followed by a questionnaire survey for employers of past graduates. The core of this questionnaire consisted of their opinions of the importance of the various components of the CDIO syllabus and an assessment of the level of proficiency of these skills and competencies in our graduates who work in their companies. A second survey, a tracer study of engineering alumni, also consisted of their opinions on the extent to which the engineering programs provided them with the skills and competencies specified in the CDIO syllabus. Finally, a third survey was conducted among the School's teachers on the importance of a subset of these competencies and the possibility of developing them in their courses. The mapping exercise confirmed the presence of the competencies in the syllabuses; however, the employer survey revealed gaps in the required proficiency levels of the most important skills. The results of alumni and teachers also provided information on the quality of the degree programs and are useful in validating employers’ opinions. In addition, information was obtained from the teacher’s survey in order to draw up the map of competencies for each program.