The Need to Reform Agricultural Engineering Curricula in Developing Countries

摘要

Currently there are over 164 universities in 31 countries offering undergraduate degree programs (or as an emphasis) in agricultural engineering (AE). Many of these programs are not offered through engineering colleges and thus are not accredited as engineering degrees. Some of the AE curriculum! have less than 50% of the coursework in engineering and as a result, inadequate training in engineering is given to AE graduates to compete with those with traditional engineering degrees. Many AE programs place very little emphasis on the areas like bioprocess engineering or biomedical engineering that can make the graduates more marketable. National engineering institutions of some of the developing countries do not welcome agricultural and biological engineers on board for professional membership. This manuscript will critically evaluate such problems and the current situation of agricultural engineering education in developing countries and will attempt to create awareness among universities and professional organizations of what is necessary for a thriving agricultural and biological (systems) engineering profession.