CHEMICAL ENGINEERING EDUCATION IN EUROPE Trends and Challenges

A t least three major issues influence the education of chemical and process engineers in Europe at the beginning of the new century. First a lack of students entering chemical engineering programmes in several European countries, second the process towards a harmonized higher education area in Europe (Bologna Process), and finally a distinct uncertainty as to what chemical engineering as well as education in chemical engineering should be in the future. All three of these issues require full attention by the chemical engineering community. This paper will discuss them against the background of actual experiences gathered by the EFCE Working Party on Education.