EER Marks First Anniversary with Global Impact at WEEF/GEDC 2024 in Sydney

2024-12-07

From December 2 to 5, 2024, the Engineering Education Review (EER) reached a significant milestone, celebrating its inaugural year with a series of high-impact events during the World Engineering Education Forum (WEEF) and the Global Engineering Deans Council (GEDC) Annual Conference in Sydney. Under the theme "Engineering for Life," these engagements showcased EER’s rapid growth and its commitment to becoming a leading global platform for engineering education discourse.

Empowering the Next Generation: The "Lightning Round"

Innovation in engineering education was at the forefront of the conference as EER hosted the "Lightning Round" on December 2. Moderated by Dr. Jamie Gurganus, this high-energy competition challenged doctoral students and early-career scholars to articulate complex research findings in just three minutes.

This initiative, designed to foster deeper engagement with pedagogical innovation, saw exceptional participation from talented young researchers. Dr. Shen Ye presented awards to the winners, underscoring EER’s commitment to supporting the next generation of academic leaders. Notably, the research presented during this round is being considered for publication in EER, with outstanding entries eligible for direct inclusion in the journal.

Group photo

Young scholars delivering their research presentations.

EER Editorial Board member Dr. Jamie Gurganus, EER Editorial Office Director Dr. Shen Ye, and IFEES President Prof. Stephanie Farrell presenting awards to the winners.

Celebrating One Year of Excellence: The Gala Dinner

The celebrations kicked off on the evening of December 3 with an "EER Night" Gala Dinner. Organized by EER Editorial Office Director Dr. Shen Ye and Industry Committee representative Liu Binli, the gala served as a bridge between the journal's international editorial board and key global stakeholders.

The event was attended by EER Co-Editors-in-Chief Dr. Marlene Kanga (Australia) and Dr. Hans J. Hoyer (USA), alongside board members Dr. Jamie Gurganus (USA) and Dr. Marcello Nitz da Costa (Brazil). The evening also welcomed distinguished guests, including Michael K. J. Milligan (CEO of ABET), Bernadette Foley (CEO of Engineers Australia), Dr. Steven Goh (President of AAEE), Dr. Bibiana Arango Alzate, Jessi Londoño (IFEES-GEDC Secretariat), and Professor Anne Gardner (Chair of WEEF-GEDC 2024). The dinner provided a vibrant forum for sharing strategic insights and strengthening the international community supporting the journal’s mission.

From left to right: Dr. Fu Jie, Dr. Shen Ye, and Dr. Marlene Kanga.

From left to right: Dr. Jamie Gurganus, Dr. Hans J. Hoyer, and Dr. Shen Ye.

From left to right: Dr. Fu Jie, Rob Braun, and Dr. Shen Ye.

Dr. Fu Jie, Elizabeth Taylor, Michael K. J. Milligan, and Dr. Shen Ye.

From left to right: Yang Likai, Professor Tang Gejing, Dr. Shen Ye, and Liu Binli

EER 1st Anniversary Gala Dinner in Sydney.

Strategic Vision and Global Expansion

The centerpiece of the week was the "EER 1st Anniversary and Special International Editorial Board Meeting" held on December 4, moderated by Dr. Shen Ye. The meeting featured a video address from EER Editor-in-Chief Professor Wang Sunyu, followed by a comprehensive review of the journal's inaugural-year achievements and a roadmap for its future development.

The session drew over 50 scholars and experts from Australia, the U.S., Africa, and Europe, who engaged in robust discussions. Key contributions were made by the editorial leadership and board members, while Liu Binli and special guests—including Professors Zhu Chang'an, Liu Yongbin, Tang Gejing, and Yang Likai—shared vital case studies on bridging the gap between industrial practice and academic engineering education.