School education and engineering practices: Dual pathways to cultivating excellent engineers

Abstract

Engineering education is aimed at cultivating outstanding engineers with extensive knowledge, innovative thinking, problem solving and practical abilities through theoretical learning and practical training. However, achieving this goal is no mean feat. On the one hand, school education is required to provide a theoretical foundation and academic support. On the other, engineering practices are needed to help students improve their capabilities and cultivate their problem-solving ability. Both are of great importance, but there are conflicting aspects between them. This article aims to explore the complementary and interactive relationship between school education and engineering practices in cultivating such outstanding engineers.