QUALITY OF ENGINEERING EDUCATION IN THE ERA OF DIGITALIZATION AND GLOBALIZATION

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to examine and evaluate the standards of engineering education in the face of the challenges of digitization and globalization, and to identify important areas that require modification of educational programs to meet the demands of today's labor market. The study focuses on the effectiveness of current educational methods and tools in developing technical, global and interpersonal competences crucial in the era of Industry 4.0. The article analyses the transformation of engineering education, focusing on the incorporation of modern technologies, such as artificial intelligence and digital twins, and the development of global and interdisciplinary skills. The empirical part presents the results of a study conducted at the Lublin University of Technology, which revealed a high overall standard of educational quality, although areas for improvement, such as infrastructure and curriculum flexibility, were recognized. The research methods used were literature review and an online survey conducted using a questionnaire. The survey was conducted in the 2024-2015 academic year and involved 54.4% of all university students. Overall, the quality of education was rated at a good - good plus level on a five-point scale, with second-degree students rating the quality higher than first-degree students, and men rating it higher than women. The quality of the infrastructure at the university was rated the lowest. Among the students of individual faculties, the highest quality of education was rated by the students of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and the highest by the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture. The results of the research highlight the need to implement more innovative and sustainable educational techniques, as well as to strengthen cooperation between universities and the industrial sector in order to prepare students more effectively for the challenges of the global labor market. It is also recommended to implement an ‘Education 5.0’ model that integrates technology, humanism and sustainability goals, providing a personalized and interdisciplinary approach to engineering education. The most important areas for improving the quality of education at the university include: the actual flexibility of the study program, the attractiveness of the course offerings, and the staffing of classes.