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Abstract :
[en] . Background and motivation
Due to industrial reconversion and numerous closing down factories in the metallurgical and manufacturing sector; studying metallurgy loses popularity in Belgium. Materials Science, and particularly metallurgy, is only taught at engineering level in this country. In the last 15 years, all Metallurgy degree programs have been either stopped or replaced by Materials Science diplomas. For instance, by decree, Materials Science and Chemistry are joined in a single engineering master degree. As a result, the place of Metallurgy has decreased in the engineering curriculum and Chemical Metallurgy has been all but abandoned.
. However, our experience is that our graduates are in demand, both in industry and research. The Belgian metallurgical and manufacturing sector looks for engineers with a strong background in either (or both) chemical and physical metallurgy. Universities and research centers lack researchers specialized in this area. What was done? Methods used and why?
As part of the accreditation process of our engineering master degrees, we have investigated this issue. Graduates (from years 2000 to 2011) were asked to specify their current employment field and whether/how they make use of the Metallurgy component of their engineering education. As key stakeholders, employers were contacted in order to better know, quantitatively and qualitatively, their needs in Metallurgy specialists vs. Materials Science generalists.
. Results, i.e., include some evidence and analysis. What was found?
. Conclusions and significance, including wider application
We will present the main findings of these surveys and their possible impact on our curriculum and the way we promote it to students and local industries. Some of the conclusions stress that even if Metallurgy is still in demand, we must find a better balance between core specialized modules and interdisciplinary approaches to strengthen the competence in innovation of our engineers.