The Global Engineering Education Exchange Program-its history, progress, and challenges

Summary form only given. The globalization of economics, the multi-nationalization of business, the global reach of engineering and scientific initiatives such as information technology and biotechnology, individually and collectively mandate that a global experience be part of the educational process for the 21st century engineering student. The Global Engineering Education Exchange (Global EEE) Program focuses specifically on providing undergraduate engineering students international academic experiences and industrial internships. It has developed to national stature with over 200 exchanges annually and involving over 80 major engineering schools throughout the world. With initial development funding by government it is now self-sustaining through membership fees and continuing industry support. This paper addresses the basic concept and philosophy, the reduction to practice, the progress to date, and the remaining challenges of the Global EEE Program, both from the author's perspective and that of Rensselaer, a technological university.