The University of Texas' Cockrell School of Engineering, in collaboration with Harmony Science Academy, is conducting a research project which aims to assist educators and administrators in their efforts to reform engineering education programs.   Industry personnel, educators, and students have long been dissatisfied with the traditional approach to engineering education, which maintains a narrow focus on the development of technical knowledge and skills and the general exclusion of all other topics.   The field of engineering has changed dramatically over the past few decades, necessitating a shift in engineering education programs as well.  Issues such as rapid technological growth, increased concern for the environment, and globalization of industry have put new demands on our engineers.  These new challenges necessitate the inclusion of another type of skill set into engineering programs - soft skills.   A soft skill is defined as any skill that an engineer masters, other than scientific or numerical skill, which includes abilities like good communication, teamwork, business management skills, and an understanding of the environment and society.  

UT's Engineering Education Research Center is conducting a research project analyzing the findings of many different studies on the topic of soft skills for engineers.   The Center's core objective is to determine the essential soft skills for modern engineers.  The research methodology involves analyzing the current literature in this area. Through this research, the Center hopes to identify the key soft skills and attributes that are important to industry professionals, experts in the field, educators and students.