Engineering studies in Britain for students from Commonwealth developing countries

Introduction

In early 1979 an exploratory discussion meeting on “Engineering Education and Developing Countries of the Commonwealth” was hosted in the House of Commons by the Council for Education in the Commonwealth (CEC). Subsequent to the meeting, the relevant courses subcommittee of the CEC decided that the issues raised in discussion warranted closer investigation and a working group was established to consider factors affecting engineering education in and for Commonwealth developing countries. These factors include (a) existing educational provision in Britain and overseas (b) deficiencies in practical training for overseas students (c) staff development of overseas lecturers (d) engineering manpower forecasting (e) relevant financial problems. The present report, however, is only concerned with the difficulties students from Commonwealth developing countries meet in gaining admission, studying in and successfully completing engineering courses in Britain. Additionally, consideration is given to the appropriateness of the studies undertaken in Britain to future careers at home.