Strategies for Developing Academic Curricula for the Architectural Engineering Department to Keep Pace with the Labor Market Developments in the Egypt

Abstract:
The field of engineering is considered a crucial means for human resource development, societal advancement, and facing future changes and challenges. Preparing engineers is the fundamental core of engineering education, which equips countries with the necessary engineering expertise to construct and manage engineering projects within them. Engineering education combines various sciences, including fundamental sciences such as mathematics, physics, and chemistry, as well as specialized sciences related to each engineering field, particularly the architectural department, such as architectural design and construction.
However, there is a significant gap between the academic curricula prescribed by the ministry and the practical experiences, indicating that the entire process is largely disconnected from practical reality. Therefore, the research objective is to develop an integrated strategy that links academic engineering work with the labor market.
To achieve this, it is necessary to identify the needs of the labor market, design capacity development programs, and set goals in collaboration with employers in companies. This includes developing field training plans in engineering institutions and utilizing modern technology, computer programs, and electronic drawing as techniques and tools to enhance engineering skills related to the profession. This is accomplished by presenting an integrated strategy to improve engineering curricula and their impact on the needs of the labor market.
The recommendations included a set of results and indicators that illustrate the desired engineering product from recent graduates of the architectural engineering department. The importance of reforming academic engineering curricula, particularly in architectural engineering, was emphasized, focusing on the practical treatment of the ever-changing nature of university education in the field of architecture and urban planning. This includes raising the quality of life, improving and developing educational and engineering training methods, teaching approaches, enhancing the competence of faculty members, and linking them to the requirements of the labor market to keep up with scientific and technological developments and broad practical fields in advanced scientific curricula related to architecture. It also involves the development of smart cities, the implementation of technological and sustainable architectural applications, and the adoption of effective continuous training to enhance professional engineering capabilities. Furthermore, it aims to activate the role of official and private institutions in building engineering capacities and improving their competencies.