| Title | Enhancing Socio-Technical Skills in Engineering Education through Cross-Cultural Experiential Learning |
|---|---|
| Faculty/College/Unit | Applied Science |
| Status | Active |
| Duration | 3 Years |
| Initiation | 04/01/2025 |
| Project Summary | This project aims to equip UBC Chemical and Biological Engineering (CHBE) and Applied Science (APSC) students with critical socio-technical skills—including empathy, cultural literacy, reflexivity, and contextual awareness. This project builds on recent CHBE initiatives, including coursework addressing environmental injustice, and international collaborations in Nepal and Uganda, to enhance students’ ability to navigate the complex social and ethical dimensions of their field. Over the next three years, we will develop an assessment framework, evaluate existing activities, develop new resources for faculty, and implement enhanced learning materials that support students’ growth as globally conscientious engineers. Through structured reflection, cross-cultural interactions, and real-world applications, students will gain both technical expertise and a nuanced understanding of social impact, helping align engineering education with UBC’s broader EDI goals. The project aims to prepare students to work in diverse, global environments, empowered to make decisions that are both technically sound and socially responsible. |
| Funding Details | |
| Year 1: Project Year | Year 1 |
| Year 1: Funding Year | 2025/2026 |
| Year 1: Project Type | Small TLEF |
| Year 1: Principal Investigator | Pranav Chintalapati |
| Year 1: Funded Amount | 18,276 |
| Year 1: Team Members | Co-Principal Investigators: Pranav Chintalapati, Assistant Professor of Teaching, Chemical and Biological Engineering (CHBE), Faculty of Applied Science Project Team Members: Nigel Fisher, Adjunct Professor, CHBE, Faculty of Applied Science / Former Assistant Secretary General, United Nations / Former President and CEO, UNICEF Canada |