The future of power electronics/power engineering education: challenges and opportunities

Abstract

Abstract-This paper discusses some factors affecting the education sector in the power electronics/power engineering area along with the renewed challenges and opportunities in the light of so many recent R&D developments at system level. It provides an overview of university-based curriculum initiatives and modern methods of instruction encouraging life long learning culture based on problem and project-based learning. The design studio approach currently used at Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia is outlined. This approach is mapped to the modern attributes of engineering graduates along with Bloom's taxonomic levels of the cognitive domain. It is recognized that the aim should be to achieve learning in the highest possible level of the cognitive domain and the project-based approach is identified as the way forward. Finally, the assessment of students by an industrial panel is also presented as a complementary way to interact with the industry and involve their feedback directly with the educational process. I. INTRODUCTIONAdvances in semiconductor technology over the last two decades have made possible the application of high power electronics for utilities and the penetration of such technologies is ever increasing. On the other hand, the wide interest at government/political level for renewable energy systems (Kyoto) along with severe blackouts in many countries have pointed out the lack of investment associated with the power systems, a situation that has existed for decades. The problem of ageing infrastructure and the likelihood of further, perhaps inevitable, blackouts has also resulted in renewed interest in power engineering education.In the last few years, many universities worldwide have invested in renewing power engineering programs in trying to address these challenges. Market and job opportunities in this field have also increased. However, this does not necessarily mean that such opportunities will automatically translate into increasing numbers of students taking the power electronics/engineering streams needed to maintain the financial viability of these programs and the challenges ahead for educators/researchers are as many as ever.Power electronics technologies are enabling tools and will continue to make significant contributions to the way energy conversion is realized and ultimately controlled. Undoubtedly, these technologies will keep on moving forward creating unprecedented progress in all areas of industrial and human activities. Education and training remains an important industry by itself and traditionally universities play a leading role. In many countries undergraduate electrical and electronic engineering curricula continue to evolve as new digital technologies mature. Information technology and the use of computers make their contribution to the way teaching and learning is approached.On the other hand, traditional power engineering areas remained in the undergraduate curriculum as new disciplines such as software and computer engineering, telecommunications, bioengi...

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