The chair of challenges and development of engineering in the Colombian Caribbean region: a good practice in curriculum internationalization

Abstract

The paper titled “The Course on Challenges and Development of Engineering in the Colombian Caribbean Region: A Best Practice for Curriculum Internationalization” presents the experience of implementing this course, developed in the 2025-1 semester as an elective within the curriculum of the participating universities. The initiative was driven by the deans of ACOFI in the Caribbean region and involved 68 students from Universidad Simón Bolívar, Universidad del Atlántico, and Corporación Universitaria Rafael Núñez. This course focused on the analysis of key regional problems, such as environmental sustainability, digital transformation, infrastructure, and technological development, which challenge the progress of engineering in the Colombian Caribbean.

Through a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach, students worked on projects addressing both global and local challenges, developing innovative solutions that connected theory with local practice. The invited speakers, both national and international, played a key role in analyzing these regional issues. They contributed their expertise and specialized knowledge, providing global perspectives and best practices in key areas of engineering, which allowed students to understand these problems from an international perspective and apply solutions tailored to the local context.

The faculty members from the universities involved played an essential role in the design and implementation of the course. Together, they employed active methodologies and international case studies, promoting deep reflection on both global and local challenges. This approach enabled students to develop essential skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and intercultural collaboration—competencies crucial in today’s professional world.

An important achievement was the strengthening of the students' global competencies. In addition to acquiring technical knowledge, students enhanced their ability to work in multicultural teams by interacting with international experts and professionals from other regions, which allowed them to apply global solutions to local problems. The collaborative projects not only contributed to solving engineering challenges in the region but also promoted innovation and creativity, enriching learning through exposure to diverse perspectives and approaches.

The course also fostered an intercultural environment, allowing students to establish relationships that transcended academics. Interaction with peers from various universities and international experts created a collaborative network that strengthened the regional academic community and prepared students to face an interconnected world.

The “Challenges and Development of Engineering in the Colombian Caribbean Region” course has been a valuable strategy for curriculum internationalization, where interinstitutional cooperation between Universidad Simón Bolívar, Universidad del Atlántico, Corporación Universitaria Rafael Núñez, and the inclusion of international experts have allowed for the formation of engineers with a global vision, ready to contribute to the challenges of the current world while maintaining a focus on regional needs. Through this experience, a significant impact has been achieved both on the students and the participating universities, consolidating an initiative that will continue to contribute to strengthening engineering education in the region.