Industry Oriented Masters Programs in Telecommunications Engineering Towards an EU Approach

Workshop on

Internationalization of Engineering Education-Towards

Quality and InnovationDr. Khaled Gharaibeh

Tempus Project CoordinatorYarmouk University

2/4/2013

Outline

IntroductionThe Tempus projectProgram JustificationProgram DevelopmentThe CurriculumCoursesConclusions

IntroductionA common problem: the gap between curricula/

qualifications of graduates and the needs of industry:

Graduates of Engineering Programs Practical knowledgeManagement skillsInnovation and entrepreneurshipSoft skills

Industry does not have a say in contents of curricula

No joint initiatives between academia and industry on scientific research

Introduction

•Faced with:•Accreditation

Requirements•Focus on inputs-

curricula not outcomes

•The need to prepare graduates for multiple target areas (jobs)•Industry: R&D,

O&M, Marketing, etc.)

•Government•Military•Graduate studies

Modernizing Undergraduat

e Curricula

Introduction

•Complement knowledge of undergraduates degrees

•More specialized

•More adaptable to change in knowledge/technology

•Relaxed accreditation requirements

Masters Program

s

Introduction

•Curricula are developed without consulting stakeholders

•Based on theoretical knowledge and oriented towards PhD

•Study models are limited to regular classes-full time

•Learning outcomes are not defined

•Lack of practical component –lab experiments, etc

The existing Masters Program

•Industry oriented

•Based on market needs

•Based on international experience

A need to Establish

new Master programs

The Tempus Project

Idea came about early 2009.

Draft proposal was

prepared early 2010

Consultation with

EU potential partners (first was

DCU)

Proposal

submitted in March 2010

Project awarde

d in July 2010

Project started in Dec. 2010

The Tempus Project

Reform the existing

MSc program

Establishment of 2 new Master programs:• Master of

Telecom Management

• Master of Telecom Technology

Building capacity at Department (Labs, QC measures,

Management)

Professional Developmen

t of academic staff of JO partners

Project Activities Program Development

Review of

Existing

Program

Demand

Analysis

Competition Analysis

Curriculum Developme

nt

Validation: Pilot Program

Curriculum Appro

val and

Accreditatio

n

Project Activities Supporting Activities

Awareness of EU System

Professional Development of

staffQC Unit- Information System

for QCLab Equipment

Promotional Strategy

Management

Program Development

Curriculum Development

•Curriculum of the existing MSc program updated

•Curricula of two new programs have been developed:▫ Master of Engineering in Telecom Technology▫ Master of Engineering in Telecom Management

•Curricula build using outcome based approach

Drafting CurriculaProgram Contents, List of Courses, program

specifications

Review of Existing

Programs

Inputs

Evaluation Stage: Pilot Program

Outputs

Formulate Programs Outcomes

Workshop on Market

Needs

Reference Standard Outcomes

(IET/ABET/EI)

Demand /Competition

Analyses

Development of CoursesCourse Outcomes, Workload, QC processes

Curriculum Development

New Programs

Review of the Existing Program

Comprehensive review of the existing program

Program specifications

Program contents

Teaching methods

Conducted by 51 experts• Academic staff in Jordan• Academic staff in the EU• Mid-level management staff of

Telecom industry

Review of the Existing ProgramStrengths and weaknesses of the

program

comparability with similar EU programs

addressing the local market needs

A set of recommendations

Updating the list of courses

Updating course topics

Introducing new study models

Modifying teaching methodologies

Introducing quality control measures for the program.

Demand AnalysisOnline Questionnaires

Target Audience

Telecom industry; engineers, managers

Governmental agencies

Military

Graduate students

Surveyed CompetenciesTopic

1= Not Important 2 3 4

5 = Very Important

Competition and regulation issues 3.5% 13.9% 26.1% 26.1% 12.2%Management of Telecom Network 0.9% 1.7% 6.1% 28.7% 44.4%Service flow and logic 4.4% 5.2% 18.3% 31.3% 22.6%Soft skills 1.7% 2.6% 16.5% 24.4% 36.5%Future Telecom Industries 0.9% 3.5% 12.2% 21.7% 43.5%Language skills – English 4.4% 7.0% 11.3% 24.4% 33.9%Project management 0.9% 1.7% 7.8% 30.4% 39.1%Regulations and policies 2.6% 4.4% 23.5% 34.8% 13.9%Financial and admin management 2.6% 6.1% 23.5% 26.1% 22.6%IT and computer skills 5.2% 4.4% 30.4% 13.0% 27.8%Telecom market knowledge 0.9% 3.5% 19.1% 29.6% 27.8%Organization theory 1.7% 5.2% 18.3% 26.1% 30.4%Planning and optimization 0.0% 4.4% 9.6% 29.6% 37.4%Research methodology 2.6% 5.2% 20.9% 27.0% 25.2%Human Resource Management 6.1% 7.0% 28.7% 25.2% 14.8%Total Quality Management 5.2% 1.7% 22.6% 30.4% 20.9%Accounting, Economics, Finance 6.1% 13.9% 31.3% 18.3% 12.2%Entrepreneurship 4.4% 15.7% 22.6% 22.6% 13.0%Business Technology Strategy 2.6% 8.7% 20.9% 30.4% 19.1%Marketing and Financial Management 4.4% 12.2% 16.5% 30.4% 18.3%

Competition Analysis• Analyze the competition environment:

▫Assess related programs’ strengths and weaknesses and its impact on the proposed program programs

• A survey of existing similar programs in Jordan and the region with regard to ▫Program objectives, outcomes ▫Program contents▫teaching material ▫teaching methodologies ▫target audience ▫employability of graduates.

Surveyed ProgramsMasters of Science in Communications or Related

Engineering DisciplineName of Institution Degree Country

University of Jordan (UJ) M.Sc. in EE (Communications) JordanJordan University of Science and Technology (JUST)

M.Sc. Elect Eng /wireless communications

Jordan

Mutah University M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering (Communications)

Jordan

American University of Sharjah

M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering

UAE

Khalifa University M.Sc. by Research in communication

UAE

King Saud M. Sc. in Electrical Engineering

KSA

The American University in Cairo (AUC)

Electronics Engineering with Concentration in Management of Technology (M. Eng.)

Egypt

The American University in Cairo

M. Sc. in Electronics Engineering

Egypt

The American University in Cairo

M. Eng. in Electronics Engineering

Egypt

Surveyed ProgramsMasters of Business Administration

Name of Institution Degree CountryYarmouk University (YU) Masters of Business

AdministrationJordan

Arab Open University (AOU) Masters of Business Administration

Jordan

New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)

Masters of Business Administration

Jordan

German-Jordanian University (GJU)- Talal Abu-Ghazaleh School of Business

Masters of Business Administration

Jordan

Princess Sumaya University for Technology (PSUT)

Global MBA Jordan

The American University in Cairo (AUC)

MBA in Management of Information Systems

Egypt

University of Jordan (UJ) Masters in Industrial Engineering / Management

Jordan

The American University in Cairo (AUC)

MBA in Management of Information Systems

Egypt

Gap Analysis

Workshop on Market Needs

•Held in Oct. 2013•About 120 professionals from

academia and industry participated•Presentations by industry on engineering

programs•A long list of recommendations developed•Recommendations adopted in design of

program outcomes and contents

Program Outcomes

• Statements of what graduates will know and be able to do after completion of the program

• Need to be measurable• Needed to develop the contents of the program• Must be based on needs of stakeholders• Developed in collaboration with EU partners• Followed standard outcomes from different

sources▫ IET▫ Engineers Ireland▫ ABET

Program OutcomesPROGRAM OUTCOME

OUTCOME DESCRIPTION

ABasic Sciences

Knowledge and understanding of the mathematics, sciences, engineering sciences and technologies underpinning wireless communications engineering

BProblem Solving

The ability to identify, formulate and solve engineering problems.

CDesign

The ability to design components, systems or processes to meet specific needs,

DPractical Aspects and Labs

The ability to design and conduct experiments and to apply a range of standard and specialized research tools and techniques to verify proposed solutions to research problems in wireless communications.

EManagement, business and economic issues

Knowledge and understanding of management and business practices, and their limitations, and how these may be applied appropriately.

FEthics

An understanding of the need for high ethical standards in engineering research and practice, including the responsibilities of the engineering research towards people and the environment.

GSoft skills

The ability to communicate effectively with the academic community and with society at large, as well as to foster strong personal and inter-personal skills.

Curriculum Design

•Development of a list of courses and considering:▫Accreditation requirements by HEAC▫University Standards▫Academic standards of the Department▫Demand Data▫Competition Data

Develop a List of Courses(Academic Standard and Demand Data)

Determine core courses (21 credit hours)Determine elective courses (9 credit hours)

Map Courses to Surveyed Competencies House of Quality (Score of courses)

Rank courses according to their relative weights

Map courses to Program OutcomesHouse of Quality (Score of PO)

Are program outcomes addressed adequately?

Final List of courses

Design individual courses accordingly

No

Yes

Curriculum Design

List of Courses and Course Ranking (House of Quality)

Suggested Courses

Statistics and Data Analysis

Professional Development

Management of Telecommunication Services

Telecommunication Regulations and Policies

Telecommunications in the Business Environment I

Telecommunications in the Business Environment II

Network Planning and Optimization

Telecommunications Networks: Structure and Architecture

Project Management for Telecommunication

Operations Management

Marketing Strategy for Telecom Engineers

Entrepreneurship in the Telecom Business

Management and Organization Behaviour

Mobile Communications Technology

Wireless Network Technology

Core network-Switching Technologies

Telecommunication Network: Operations and Implementation

IP Telephony and Next Generation Networks (NGN)

Masters Project

Topics

Management of Telecom Network   1   3       3 9   1     1 1 1 1 1 1 9   4.39

Project management                   9 1                 9   4.32

Knowledge on future telecom industries      3 3       3           9 9 9 9 9 9  

4.27

Planning and optimization   9           9 1 3 1       1 1 1 1 1 9   4.24

Soft skills     9 1                               9   4.12

Telecom market knowledge       3 3 1     1     9 1   1 1 1 1 1 9   3.99

Organization theory                           9           1   3.96

Language skills – English     9                                 1   3.95

Research methodology     9   1           1                 9   3.83

Service flow and logic   1   9             9                 1   3.77

Financial and admin management       3     9     3                   1   3.74

Total Quality Management       3                               1   3.74

Regulations and policies       1 9 3   3 3           1 1 1 1 1 3   3.67

Business Technology Strategy           9                           1   3.67

IT and computer skills   3 3         3                       3   3.67

Marketing       3   3         1 9               1   3.56

Human Resource Management                   3       9           1   3.44

Competition and telecom market issues   1   3 9 3     3   1 9 1   1 1 1 1 1 1   3.36

Entrepreneurship                         9             3   3.31

Accounting, Economics, Finance           3 9 3   3                   1   3.2

 

Importance Ci

Absolute Weight 60.7 118.1 122.9 91.9 78.4 62.5 83.0 81.6 82.7 57.6 98.2 37.1 71.0 58.1 58.1 58.1 58.1 58.1 330.8 Normalized Weight 0.05 0.11 0.12 0.09 0.07 0.06 0.08 0.08 0.08 0.06 0.09 0.04 0.07 0.06 0.06 0.06 0.06 0.06 0.32 

Quality Assurance

Review of overall program

The QC Workgroup

The industrial advisory committee

The Management Committee of the

project

Course Descriptors and MaterialCourse Descriptors

(50 courses)Outcome-based approach

Course Contents

Detailed list

Course Outcomes

Relationship to PO

Student Workload

Total of 190 hours

Assessment

Breakdown and contribution to

CO

Course Descriptors Generated Automatically through an online Course Builder System

Module Statistics Program statistics

Information System for QC

QC Unit

•Unit will use QC system•Guidelines on the structure of the Unit

and its operation is being prepared (60% done)

•Guidelines include▫Student-Instructor Evaluation processes▫Course evaluation processes-Outcomes▫Periodic Program review questionnaires

•Will be legalized through the faculty

Approval and Accreditation

•Process started early Nov. 2012•Curricula are approved by Department,

the Faculty, the Deanship of Graduate Studies Committee and the Board of Deans:

•Programs to be submitted for approval by board of Trustees and MOHE (in few weeks)

•Programs Planned to start in the academic year 2013/2014

Lab Equipment

•Will be installed in 2 months at the Dept and at the Prince Faisal center in Amman

Video class equipment purchased

• Simulations Lab• Antennas Lab• Wireless Communications Lab• Wireless Networking Lab

Three technical

labs

Pilot Program

•Program Scheduled 15/4/2013-15/5/2013•Five new courses will be taught by YU,

GJU, DCU and UPV staff•Will be used for testing the new programs

with regard to teaching, learning and QC•Already have 20 students registered for

the program•Please register at the front desk if

interestedIT IS FREE

Programs Offered

•Research oriented•Good for pursuing PhD studies

MSc in Wireless Communications

•Good for engineers working at companies•More practically oriented•Focuses on technology •Contains management component

Master of Engineering in

Telecom Technology

•Good for enhancing management skills of engineers•Prepares students for successful career in telecom business

Master of Engineering in

Telecom Management

Updated MSc in Wireless Communications

ObjectivesTo enhance the knowledge and

skills of fresh engineering graduates in and to enable them to do high quality scientific research

in the field

To utilize the capabilities of YU and partner universities in providing higher education to the public

which will benefit the society at large

To provide a graduate program that is internationally recognized

by adopting international standards in teaching, learning and quality

control

Updated MSc in Wireless Communications

SpecificationAwarding body/institution Yarmouk UniversityTeaching institution Yarmouk UniversityAccreditation HEACName of the final award Master of ScienceProgramme title Master of Science (MSc) in Wireless Communications

Mode of study Thesis Option OnlyFull time Regular classPart time Regular class with possibility of remote lecturing through synchronous video links

Program Contents 24 credit hours of core courses +9 credit hours of elective courses

Core courses include 9 credit hours of thesis work

Language of study EnglishTuition 80 JD per credit hour

Program OutcomesProgram Outcome

Description

ABasic Sciences(US)

Knowledge and understanding of the mathematics, sciences, engineering sciences and technologies underpinning wireless communications engineering including inter alia1. The advantages and limitations of a range of established and relevant mathematical techniques2. The empirical and theoretical bases of the relevant engineering technology sciences.

BProblem Solving(E)

The ability to identify, formulate and solve engineering problems. The ability to 1. Identify and use appropriate mathematical methods for application to new and ill-defined engineering problems. 2. Integrate knowledge, handle complexity, and formulate judgments with incomplete and limited information. 3. Create models by deriving appropriate equations and by specifying design constraints and underlying assumptions and limitations. 4. Develop software tools including numerical techniques to solve engineering problems.

CDesign(D)

The ability to design components, systems or processes to meet specific needs, including inter alia1. Knowledge and understanding of design processes and techniques and the ability to apply them in unfamiliar circumstances 2. The ability to apply design methods to open and ill defined problems possibly involving other disciplines3. The design of wireless systems to meet quality of service requirements subject to limitations in power, bandwidth and cost

DPractical Aspects and Labs(P)

The ability to design and conduct experiments and to apply a range of standard and specialized research tools and techniques to verify proposed solutions to research problems in wireless communications. Graduates will be able to1. Evaluate critically current problems and new insights at the forefront of wireless communications. 2. Design and conduct experiments and to analyze and interpret data. 3. Extract through literature search or experiment information pertinent to research problems4. Contribute individually to the development of scientific/technological knowledge

EManagement, business and economic issues(S)

Knowledge and understanding of management and business practices, and their limitations, and how these may be applied appropriately. The graduate will be able to 1. Understand the constraints imposed on engineering design and implementation by business, social, regulatory environment 2. Make general evaluations of commercial risks through some understanding of the basis of such risks.3. Understand group dynamics and exercise leadership4. Self-evaluate and take responsibility for continuing academic/professional development5. Consult and work with experts in various fields in the realization of a product or system

FEthics(S)

An understanding of the need for high ethical standards in engineering research and practice, including the responsibilities of the engineering research towards people and the environment. The graduate shall display1. Knowledge and understanding of the social, environmental, ethical and economic implications of engineering research and practice in local and

global contexts.2. Knowledge and understanding of research ethics, including issues such as intellectual property, plagiarism, working with animal and human

subjects 3. Knowledge and understanding of the health and safety issues and awareness of the impact of engineering solutions in a societal and environmental

context (including for example ICNIRP exposure limits). GSoft skills(S)

The ability to communicate effectively with the academic community and with society at large, as well as to foster strong personal and inter-personal skills. The graduate shall be able to 1. Describe succinctly the relevant implications of their research to a lay audience. 2. Write technical papers and reports and synthesize their own work and that of others in abstracts and executive summaries. 3. Communicate effectively in public, national and international contexts.4. Plan and carry through self-directed continuing development to improve their own knowledge and research abilities5. Consult and work with other researchers in the field of interest. 6. Choose the appropriate communication format and tools for a given occasion.

Core Courses

Code No. Module Credit HoursCME 600 Engineering Mathematics (with simulation lab) 3CME 638 Antenna Design (with lab) 3CME 652 Digital Communications 3CME 656 Wireless Communications (with lab) 3CME 659 Wireless Networks (with lab) 3CME 699 Master Thesis 9

Total 24

Elective Courses-Two GroupsCode No. Module CreditCME 610 Probability and Random Processes for Communications 3CME 612 Digital Signal Processing for Communications 3CME 612 Digital Signal Processing Lab 0CME 616 Information Theory and Coding 3CME 618 Detection and Estimation Theory 3CME 636 RF & Microwave Engineering 3CME 658 Spread Spectrum Systems 3CME 691 Special Topics on Wireless Communications 3CME 692 Independent Studies in Wireless Communications 3

Group 1 (6 credit hours)

Code No. Module CreditTME 621 Telecommunication Regulation and Policies 3TME 624 Telecommunications in the Business Environment I 3TME 620 Management of Telecommunication Services 3TME 660 Entrepreneurship in the Telecom Business 3CTE 670 Project Management for Telecommunication 3

THANK YOU!QUESTIONS?