On Feb. 23, the world's first truly international web-based dialogue among engineering students, young professionals, and business leaders will launch as part of National Engineers Week 2004.

On Feb. 23, the world's first truly international web-based dialogue among engineering students, young professionals, and business leaders--Connecting the World to Engineering--will launch as part of National Engineers Week 2004. "Connecting the World to Engineering", on the National Engineers Week website atwww.eweek.org, is spearheaded by the Fluor Corporation, co-chair of 2004 National Engineers Week along with The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)/IEEE-USA.

The new program, designed specifically to encourage and maintain career interest for engineering undergraduates, underscores two trends in the profession: the expanding global marketplace of ideas, and the Internet as the preferred vehicle for sharing those ideas. While many engineering societies already host professional and technical forums, "Connecting the World to Engineering" is the first to link business, academia, and engineering disciplines from around the globe.

"Connecting the World" offers two main components--web-based forums and live teleconferences. The forums launch on Monday, Feb. 23, and will continue through the year, addressing a variety of engineering disciplines and issues, each moderated by a leading professional in that specialty. Forums include:

  • Chemical Engineering
  • Civil Engineering in the Air Force
  • Electrical & Electronics Engineering
  • Engineering for Sustainability
  • Engineering Professionalism, Ethics and Licensure
  • How to Become a Licensed Engineer
  • Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering
  • Industrial Engineers in Health Care
  • Manufacturing Engineering: Made in USA--Future Careers, Prospects and Strategies in Manufacturing Industries
  • Naval Engineering/Architecture
  • Oil and Gas Industry
  • Systems Engineering
  • Women in Engineering

Part Two of "Connecting" involves prominent corporate leaders hosting teleconferences throughout the year that delve into the latest issues and developments with engineering societies and their student sections, along with university and corporate partners.

The first teleconference on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 10 a.m. Eastern features Alan Boeckmann, chairman and CEO of Fluor, addressing "Engineering in the 21st Century." Joseph V. Lillie, lead National Engineers Week volunteer for IEEE/IEEE-USA, will serve as moderator. Boeckmann will cover the emergence of a globalized engineering workforce from the integration of systems, its implications for tomorrow's engineering professionals, and the skill sets required to be a successful engineer in the 21st century. Boeckmann will also offer a personal perspective on how he grew from an electrical engineer to become the leader of one of the industry's most prestigious companies. Following his presentation, students will be able to ask questions and participate in a discussion.