THE IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION DURING AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERS’ TRAINING
ESIME Ticomán - Instituto Politécnico Nacional (MEXICO)
About this paper:
Conference name: 16th International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies
Dates: 1-3 July, 2024
Location: Palma, Spain
Abstract:
In the current context, where concern for the environment and sustainability has become central in all areas of society, it is imperative that new generations of engineers, particularly those specialized in the automotive industry, integrate a strong environmental awareness into their professional training and practice. The relevance of this issue is because the automotive sector is one of the main contributors to environmental pollution, not only by vehicle emissions, but also by manufacturing processes and product life cycle management. Against this backdrop, it is crucial that future engineers are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to innovate and develop technologies that minimize the environmental impact of automobiles.
To address this need, a study has been conducted to assess the importance of environmental awareness in the training of new automotive engineers. The methodology used included a literature review to identify current trends in the industry regarding environmental commitment, workshops with automotive engineering students to encourage discussion and reflection on these issues, and surveys to measure their perception and enthusiasm for integrating environmental considerations into their future professional practice.
The results indicate a positive trend among participants towards adopting a "green" approach in their career. Students showed openness and enthusiasm for incorporating sustainable practices into vehicle design, development and manufacturing. In addition, the literature review revealed that many companies in the sector are already committed to environmental care and are actively working to align their operations and products with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
This study highlights the importance of integrating environmental education into automotive engineering programs, not only as an ethical response to global challenges, but also as a necessity for innovation and the development of sustainable technologies that will be crucial for the future of industry and the planet.Keywords:
Sustainability, automotive engineering, environmental awareness, Green innovation.