The challenges of educating engineering and technology managers

Abstract

The Master of Technology Management (MTM) program aims to produce graduates equipped with essential management knowledge and an appreciation of technologies outside their initial specialisation. The skill set would therefore allow these graduates to manage complex technological or engineering businesses. The MTM is being developed by the University of Southern Queensland’s Faculty of Engineering and Surveying, and is written by engineers for engineers and other technologists. It is closely linked with the University’s MBA program. Its courses will be offered in part-time, external mode. On-line delivery, and short courses based on the written material, are being considered in the future. Ensuring that the courses offered in the MTM develop the skills required to manage technology in a dynamic environment has provided a number of challenges to the team developing them. As well as experienced academics, this team includes staff who have come directly from industry, are enthused about the MTM and can contribute significantly to it, but have also had to learn the course development process. Through this combination of people who have come from industry with experienced academics, the challenges are being addressed so that the Master of Technology Management aims to provide a solid learning experience fort he student, and in doing so to develop highly effective engineering and technology managers.