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.