In 1985, the National Research Council issued a study that spotlighted the need for universities to graduate engineers with professional skills.
No longer is cultural sensitivity needed only for product design destined for diverse markets.
Those colleagues may be encountered “virtually” at a distance, in person at an international site, or next door in the office of a multinational corporation.
Outsourcing is increasing, not only for products but also for processes, including highly technical engineering work.
Projects are distributed across sites and effective collaboration requires professionals who can work productively with colleagues who are very different from themselves.