Global Dimension in Engineering Education. GDEE

Course B.5: Knowing the context and partners

Academic Coordinator

Dr. Angela Ortigara, Università degli studi di Trento 

Course Overview

One of the aims of the GDEE project is to develop and sustain links between non-governmental organizations (NGOs) involved in technical development work and universities, in order to better inform education practices on development topics in technical curriculums.  

This course will focus on the importance of understanding contextual environments in development research and identifying within this context relevant actors and partnerships.  By providing several possible models of interaction between universities and actors in development, these sessions will enable participants to enhance the effectiveness of research projects and the experience of student researchers.

It should take approximately 20-25 hours to complete, including readings, assignments and activities.  

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course module we expect that participants will:

  1. Have increased their awareness of the relevant criteria to select partnerships in the International cooperation world. 
  2. Possess basic information and be able to guide students on how to develop a first broad understanding of the geographical, environmental, social, economical, political and cultural context of the countries where students are going to develop their thesis.
  3. Be aware of the basic dynamics and principles governing interaction with and participation of stakeholders in the context of development projects, such as of “active listening” and conflict dynamics tools that can be useful in a specific case. 

Syllabus