Latino Women in Engineering: Annotated Bibliography

1. De Welde, K., Laursen, S., Thiry, H. Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). 10 February 2011.

This is a fact sheet compiled by the Florida Gulf Coast Univeristy and the University of Colorado Boulder. The article takes a look at the education of the women, the employment opportunities, and tries to explain the why there are so few women in engineering. Some of these explanations include class climate, lack of role models, and poor preparation. I will be looking at these explanations to further evaluate why Hispanic women lack role models and why they funnel out of STEM fields.

I found this article while searching Cal Poly’s Poly Cat database. I searched Latino women in engineering and I received multiple articles on statistical analysis.

2. Lewin, David I. Across the Gender Divide: Diversity Among Engineers. Mechanical Engineering-CIME. Oct 1993. Pp 34.

This article summarizes a study made by the Society of Women Engineers, one of the biggest engineering clubs for women, which revealed that only 4.1% were from an underrepresented minority groups. In addition, the survey reveals that there is a higher concentration of minority women in the fields of chemical and environmental engineering. It is interesting to note why these two fields have a higher concentration and why latino women decide to enter these fields, rather than, for example, mechanical engineering. These statistics provide information that could further my research as to why Hispanic women are so underrepresented in engineering fields.

3. Towns, Marcy H. Where are the women of color? Data on African America, Hispanic, and Native American faculty in STEM. Journal of College Science Teaching. March-April 2010, p.8

The National Science Foundation provided statistics on the representation of women of color. These include Asian, African American, Hispanic and Native American women. The article emphasizes that the lack of role models for these women builds barriers and effects the self-esteem of the women in STEM fields. In addition, it evaluates reasons why women tend to lack role models, such as the importance of a family to a latino women, the overall mentality that these women should stay at home and let their husbands be the bread winners, and the poor education latino women receive during middle and high school.

4. Moreno, Susan and Muller, Chandra. Success and Diversity: The Transition through First-Year Calculus in the University. American Journal of Education, Vol. 108, No. 1. The University of Chicago Press. 02 Oct. 2011.

The University of Texas saw the need to develop Engineering Programs to retain the Latino students they admit. These programs heavily influence the performance of calculus in the first year of engineering students. The results suggest that in order to increase the number of students choosing STEM fields, administrators must seek ways to increase students’ participation in calculus each semester. These students will excel in calculus if they receive appropriate support. The reason for targeting calculus rather than another subject is due to the fact that calculus is a pre-requisite for most quantitative fields, and most first year engineering students are required to take calculus within their first year. The first year for most of these students are difficult to transition, therefore it is important to target calculus.

Diversity in Engineering-- Abstract and Annotated Bib

Annotated Bibliography/Abstract

Mariel Emanuel

ES:410

2/9/10

ABSTRACT:

Lack of diversity in the engineering field is not only unfair; it is affecting the quality of the science/products being produced in America. For this reason exactly it is crucial to increase diversity, creativity, and “individual diversity” within engineering in order to tackle the multiplicity of issues and problems that are arising in this century. U.S. values, cultures, and interests are constantly being altered and due to this new problems are arising that must be addressed by STEM researchers. In order to most beneficially address the variety of new problems that are currently facing humanity; we must include an assortment of researchers with diverse backgrounds, views, and perspectives. Change is inevitable; however, whether we confront it justly or not is up to us.

1. Nelson, Donna J. "A National Analysis of Minorities in Science and Engineering Faculties at Research Universities." 31 Oct. 2007. Web. 9 Feb. 2011. .

-This is a very important and detailed article. It takes a very in depth look at the lack of diversity in STEM fields and how this is exhibited through the tenure track and positions of professors at research universities. Not surprisingly what the report found is that the higher you get up the tenure track the less women and people of color you will find. The author is calling for a “Great Crew Change” because as a society we are facing more and more new problems and in turn we need new diverse/creative engineers/scientists in order address the plethora of new issues. The author explains that U.S. values, cultures and interests are changing and so our STEM researchers must be representative of this. I think that this is a very helpful article because it is a very recent and critical account on the lack of diversity in the field.

2. Busch-Vishniac, Illene J. "CAN DIVERSITY IN THE UNDERGRADUATE ENGINEERING POPULATION BE ENHANCED THROUGH CURRICULAR CHANGE?" Begell House Inc. 2004. Web. 10 Feb. 2011. .

-I specifically like this article because it focuses directly on how changing curriculum for undergraduate engineering would help increase diversity. The article actually calls for a whole new curriculum that is directed towards inclusion and working together rather than exclusion. The author explains why we need diversity in a variety of ways and actually discusses why we need diversity in STEM fields in terms of economics and business. I specifically like this article because it is radical in the sense that it calls for a whole new curriculum, and does not want to try and work under the current patriarchal paradigm at all.

3. Foor, Cynthia E. "" I Wish That I Belonged More in This Whole Engineering Group:" Achieving Individual Diversity." Apr. 2007. Web. 9 Feb. 2011. .

-This article focuses specifically on one woman/racial minority engineering student and her personal account with trying to achieve her “individual identity” in engineering. The author discusses how engineers need to utilize their “individual identity” in their work instead of assimilating with the others in the engineering “group”. The idea of “Critical Cultural Theory” is discussed and how this particularly theory effects Inez (the woman engineer). I think that this article will be particularly useful for me because it based upon interviews with one woman and I want to conduct interviews as well. This has helped me generate ideas about things I want to try and explore with the individuals during interviews.

4. Wulf, WM A. "NAE Website - Diversity in Engineering." NAE Website - Home. Web. 10 Feb. 2011. .

-This article is very important because it comes from the National Academy of Engineering and it focuses on some of the crucial reasons why we need diversity in engineering—other than to be fair. The author discusses how engineering is actually a very creative profession…however, this aspect of the career has been sort of neglected at the societal and individual level. The author explains that “breadth of experience in an individual is essential to creativity and hence to good engineering”. This point is crucial because breadth of experience can only be incorporated when we have engineers that come from different places and different life experiences. “We and our output are both impoverished without that diversity” (WM Wulf).

5. Anderson, Lisa. "CiteSeerX — Recruitment And Retention Programmes To Increase Diversity In Engineering." CiteSeerX. 21 Aug. 2002. Web. 9 Feb. 2011. .

- This article focuses solely on the lack of women in engineering and attempts at recruiting women to join the field. The study started in 1989 when Ryerson University wanted to try and find ways to encourage women to become engineers. The university started a program called “Discover Engineering” which conducted primary high school workshops and summer camps centered on teaching women about engineering. The workshops and summer camp proved to be successful. I am particularly interested in this article because it shows fun and innovative ways to teach women about engineering. This type of recruitment and education about engineering is crucial because it is fostering creativity and in turn hopefully making diverse, creative individuals more interested in the subject.

annotated + abstract

(1.) Education and Research in Japan’s Construction Industry

Nanni, Antonio., Takeechi, Hikaru., Yahagi, Kazuhisa. J. Profl. Issues in Engineering Education and Practices. Volume 118, Issue 3, pp. 284-289. Jully 1992

This article discusses the different between engineering and architectural education at Japanese universities. In the U.S., the article explains, engineering and architecture are two completely different programs, there is a clear cut difference, each has its on college, curricula is different and each has its on profession. Where as in Japan, civil engineering and architecture or just two different programs in the college of engineering. So engineers and architectures backgrounds are very similar in Japan and therefore can potentially have a better relationship and better understanding of each other when it comes to real world jobs. Also noted, is the fact that undergraduate seniors do not do senior projects or final research papers. The article also provides great information on the breakdown of teams in contracting firms. It shows which duties are given to certain teams and how goals are met and accomplished. The article also mentions a handicap in global engineering as a whole. It explains how the Japanese are very knowledgeable about U.S. technology and scientific production but U.S. does not know much or Japan because we cannot read Japanese literature. This was a very interesting and informative article that did not have any shortcomings in my opinion.

(2.) Civil Engineering Undergraduate Education in Japan: System Overview

Tsuji, Masonari., Nanni, Antonio. J. Profl. Issues in Engineering Education and Practices. Volume 120, Issue 2, pps 135-144. April 1994

This article discusses the undergraduate education of civil engineers. It provides a short history of Japanese education and how the Ministry of Education supervises the education as a whole. This came to be by the Education at in 1947, which was designed after WWII and was purposely drafted to emulate U.S. systems (Tsuji). The article also ranks the top universities in Japan based on the difficulty of entrance exams. Later it goes on to discuss the faculty make-up. Similar to U.S. models of teaching, Japanese universities have professors, associate professors, and lectures. All promotions and rankings are based on age and time spent. The article also provides a sample of courses offered and universities and gives insight to jobs offered and accepted by graduate students. This was also a very informative article that gave very helpful knowledge but did not have any shortcomings as far as what I expected from it.

(3.) Biochemical Engineering Education in Japan: A Survey of the Status as it is

Unno, Hajimi . EUR. J. ENG. ED., 2000, VOL. 25, NO. 3, 197–206

This article provides a history of scientific universities in Japan. It provides us with a brief history and background of scientific education, beginning with teachings during WWII and how they have arrived at more recent practices since. It later goes on to discuss the significance of genetics education in Japan along with a history as well. The article provides examples of how biology is taught along with a list of undergraduate and graduate courses provided. The article also explains how biological engineering education has only a few experimental based classes but is mostly theoretical based. In another article I found while doing my research but did not include in this bibliography was one that noted how most Japanese education practices were much influenced by British practical based learning. It would be very interesting to see why biochemical engineering decided to go in the direction of a theoretical approach.

(4.) Japanese Education and Its Problems

Ushiogi, Morikazu. Higher Education, September 1997, Vol. 34 Issue: Number 2 p237-244, 8p;

This article discussed some of the problems that the Japanese education system as a whole has been dealing with. One major problem discussed was why the number of students in graduate education does not match in proportion to the number of undergraduate students. The article gives a few reasons for this. One was that graduate schools in Japan aim at training university professors and not at training business and or public service processionals. Secondly, it provided statistics of hired employees at a private manufacturing company. The data showed that 72% were high school graduates, 26% were college graduates, and 2.7 had a master or Ph. D degrees. These are great findings because why would someone attend another 4-5 years of education when they can acquire a position immediately out of high school at the same company. This was a very insightful article but lacked information on the process students went through to complete graduate school. It also failed to note the pay difference between high school and college graduates. How does higher education differ the employs starting position? Or does time spent on the job outweigh knowledge? Those are a few questions that would have been worth mentioning in the article.

(5.) Method and Effectiveness of an Individualized Exercise of Fundamental Mathematics

Yoshioka, Takayoshi; Nishizawa, Hitoshi; Tsukamoto, Takehiko. Community College Journal of Research and Practice, v. 25 no5/6 (June/July 2001) p. 373-8.

This article discusses the two paths high school grads can take to become engineers through higher education. Students may choose to attend 4-year universities or they can do a program called ‘Kosen’ which is a small university that provides learning in liberal arts studies, natural sciences and engineering. This private schooling program provides students with individualized learning based on each students needs. Challenged students can chose to do simple assignments while, more accomplished can work on more challenging problems. Statistics from the article show that students with lower grades improve the most from individualized exercises. Another very informative article but did not go into much detail about the experience of students at 4-year universities in comparison to those at ‘Kosen’. This article did a great job of highlighting the positive aspects of the individualized learning methods but did not spend any time noting the adverse effects.

Abstract

Education is different throughout the world. No one-way is the “right” but all have great qualities about them. Although Japanese education style has been know to be strict (and does so for a reason), new practices are beginning to emerge. Japan has implemented and individualized teaching style that has proven to improve students learning abilities. Struggling students can chose to do simple assignments while, more accomplished can work on more challenging problems. It has progressed as one of the world’s leaders in engineering and has produced some of the world’s greatest engineers. In this paper I will discuss some of Japans fine education practices, its dilemma in the number of graduates students, and areas in which its education system could improve. But in all, I hope to show that the Japanese’ advances in the engineering world are due to its outstanding practices of education and training.

Abstract: Engineering in Communist China

Jenny Brooks

February 10, 2011

ES 410

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to express the influence of China’s Communist Regime on the countries engineers. This article includes how the social and economical positions of engineers has changed during this specific time period. It also expresses the motives behind the engineers shift and if the public pressure to move away from a Confuciust ideal is included. This paper describes the status of engineers as a working and contributing member of the country as they express their national commitment through their employment. However, it discusses the conflicting ideas of working for a Soviet modeled government in a profession that values individualism. It will also include a brief history of engineering in Chinese education, how it has contributed to the leaders of the country and how the curriculum has changed with the transformation of the government. The essay ends with a brief prediction of the new generation of leaders moving away from such a technocratic role within the government.

Annotated Bibliography

Clark, C. (1976). Economic Development in Communist China. The Journal of Political

Economy, 84(2), 239-264.

Clark gives an overview of the economic development in Communist China starting in the 1930’s. He incorporates such examples as the “The Year of the Great Leap Forward” in 1958, the Cultural Revolution of 1966-67, famine conditions in 1959, and the overall global comparison of China’s growth production. All these aspects are vital to understand the current economic standing of China and the importance of its different positions. By having a better understanding of the history of China’s economic development, it will be easier to understand the role of engineers and how they have contributed over the years. If they have been an active part of progress or if they have created another obstacle for forward motion, or in some cases they may gave had a role in both of these positions.

Jin, X., & Porter, A. (1988). Technological Innovation and Development: Prospect for China.

IEEE Transaction on Engineering Management, 35(4), 258-264.

Authors Xiao-Yin Jin and Alan L. Porter express how a dramatic expansion in China’s economy is attainable in the near future through the countries advancement in technology development. Contributing factors to this prediction include China’s leadership commitment to technology and their large internal market that relies on technology-based products. However, Jin and Porter discuss the main obstacle is “whether this neotraditionalist movement could yet be countered by a traditionalist Marxist resurgence” (263). Jin and Porter suggest that altering eleven factors in this “technology-based economic development” this expansion will be possible (258). These eleven factors that require adjustment include: long term economic trends; markets; competition; national policies in support for innovation; technical resources; capital availability; organization for innovation; management; support staffing; reward structures; communication mechanisms. This article will be supportive information to understand the economic standing of China during this time period. It also provides information about specific areas that require reform for China to obtain a globally competitive economy. The article describes how the position of engineers needs to be valued as a separate profession, and what role engineers play within the evolving technology.

Pechter, Kerry. (1997). ‘Handover' brings hope to China's EEs. Electronic Engineering Times,

960, 1-2.

Kerry Pechter describes how the return of Hong Kong to China will improve the standard of living of engineers in the People’s Republic. Through the increase of “US high-tech companies,” more engineers have been hired to fill the needed positions, increasing the demand for engineer specialists. This high demand for engineers at these companies is taking away from the traditional post in “an inefficient state-run company for a salary of $100 a month” (1). These large corporations offer around 10 times an engineer’s normal pay. This article describes the conflict that engineers are being addressed with by the progress of technology. This type of development can be observed as threatening to the Communist Party’ control and goes against the traditional Soviet model that “does not encourage [personal] excellence” (2). Pechter’s article will provide helpful information about the internal struggle that engineers are faced with when it comes to their national commitment or earning enough to provide for their family. The article also gives a brief description of the traditional curriculum of engineering in Chinese education and how it was redesigned during the growth of the Soviet government.

Suttmeier, R. P. (2007). China: a nation ruled by engineers. New Scientist, 196(2629), 71-73.

Richard Suttmeier examines how contemporary China “is a nation led by technocrats” and the current generation of leaders are mostly trained in science and engineering from the countries leading Universities (71). Suttmeier compares the science based education of members in the National Congress of Communist Party of China to the west, where lawyers dominate the political scene. He describes how technocrats came to fill leadership positions after a “century of frustrated attempts to build modern scientific and technological capabilities in China” (71). In addition, a brief history of the devision in engineering education during the Cultural Revolution and the tension between peasant nationalism and science and technological development. Suttmeier finishes the essay by describing how the 21st century’s generation of Chinese leaders will be extremely different and spend more time finding ways to benefit the country through the “long-neglected fields” of social science and humanities (73). Through the description of the progression of engineer education into leadership positions, this article describes the valued position engineers play in China. It will also reflect the goals of China’s Communist government through its biased education system and how it has created educational segregation for the peasants of China.

Yan, Y. (2010). The Chinese Path to Individualization. The British Journal of Sociology, 61(3),

489-512.

Yunxiang Yan analyzes the rise of the individual and individualization of society during the Maosim era of China. Yan states that ironically “collectivist programs of social engineering and socialist path of modernization....resulted in a partial individualization of Chinese society” (489). Within this era that lasted three decades, Yan has been able to recognize both similarities and differences between China and Western Europe in the process of individualization. Yan summarizes how China is characterized by the image of a state which does not encourage cultural democracy, classic individualism or political liberalism. However, the overall progress within the technology driven economy has put a “greater emphasis on individual responsibility and self-reliance” (510). This article describes the conflicting impression the Communist government has presented among its professional people, especially ones within the engineering field. Yan’s article will also be a reference to how the development of the countries technological advancements has implicated a contradicting image of progress and individualism to the people of China.

The Military Industrial Academic Complex at Cal Poly (Abstract and Annotated Bibliography)

Thesis/Abstract

As former President Eisenhower warned against the Military Industrial Complex in his Farewell Address, he left out one pertinent word: Academic. As American economy was becoming reliant on warfare, academics were being shaped by warfare and the same remains today. The Pentagon and an increasing obsession with national defense create what is known as the Military Industrial Academic Complex. Composed of universities from all over the nation, the Military Industrial Academic Complex has come to dominate curricula and entire university agendas due to the significant amount of funding coming from the Department of Defense and being poured into the sciences and engineering. In contract with the Department of Defense (DoD), Cal Poly is no exception, receiving millions to train their engineers as prime military defense employees ready for recruitment fresh out of graduation.

The Military Industrial Academic Complex at Cal Poly

Annotated Bibliography

Fraser, Cary. “The Politics of Knowledge and the Revitalization of American Democracy: A Response to Henry Giroux’s The University in Chains: Confronting the Military Industrial Complex.” The Review of Education, Pedagogy, and Cultural Studies (2009), p. 479-492.

Fraser starts with the discussion of Eisenhower’s Farewell Address and the warning of the Military Industrial Complex. Fraser states that Eisenhower had originally used Military Industrial Academic Complex, but took it out when he delivered the speech. Although Eisenhower took ‘academic’ out, he still acknowledged the domination of the MIA over academia. There is also a discussion, taken from Giroux’s book, on the fact that the American society was established and still has anti-intellectual traditions (although he gives a very vague example of why: the founding of the nation as a ‘promise land’ for Christian Protestants). The author goes on to say that Americans must focus upon the revitalization of the institutions and rhetoric that have nurtured democratic sensibilities (p.12). In conclusion, the author suggests that there is a precedent from with in the university that can provide both legitimacy and momentum for an effective challenge to the Military Industrial Academic Complex. Since I intend to use Cal Poly as a focus point of my research, many may want to discuss starting points for change, at least I hope, and this can be a starting point as words of encouragement.

Giroux, Henry. “The University in Chains: Confronting the Military Industrial Complex.” Paradigm Publishers (2007). Print.

Giroux discusses the evidence of pressure, especially after 9/11, from the military and corporate sectors on the university to dedicate its resources and curricula to the goals of ‘national security’ and corporate profits. He also discusses the rise of right-wing fundamentalists who view critical thought as a threat to political order (relating to anti-intellectual traditions discussion in Fraser). Giroux argues that the university has lost its status and initial role as a democratic public sphere that encourages and facilitates critical learning and thinking and in turn, has become a direct branch of the Pentagon and corporate interests, which are one in the same. Giroux offers a lot of information that can be used regarding this topic. There is a thorough background on the MIA and how it is thriving today. Furthermore, he discusses characteristics of institutions/universities that are affiliated with the MIA (which Cal Poly fits right into). One main example is the example of military and corporate control over all curricula and material discussed at these institutions, and what immediately came to mind was the Michael Pollen incident, although I need to look further into more examples regarding Cal Poly specifically.

Martino-Taylor, Lisa. “The Military-Industrial-Academic Complex and a New Social Autism.” Journal of Political and Military Sociology (2008), p.37-52.

This article discusses the early statements of C. Wright Mills of how there was “the great structural shift of modern American capitalism toward a permanent war economy” and that the universities were in fact financial institutions part of the military (p.2) and thus a part of this structural shift. Martino-Taylor described the Military Industrial Academic Complex as the disastrous recipe of prevalent racism, development of biological and chemical weapons, military-minded leadership, profit-driven chemical industry and a talented and “values free” academia (2008, p.5). Although, the author does not delve deep into a discussion of the Military Industrial Academic Complex (MIA), she does give a very detailed history of how the MIA was created; through early involvement of universities in gas and chemical weapons research which became more and more prevalent with the rise of WWII. From this came the office for Scientific Research and Development (OSRD) headed by the president of MIT, Vannevar Bush. This history will help establish what constitutes an institution that is involved in the MIA and how it came to be that way.

Targ, Harry. COMMENTARY: The Military/Industrial/Academic complex: Fifty Years Later. (2011). http://archives.huntingtonnews.net/columns/110103-targ-columnspeacevoice.html, 7 February 2011.

This article is a critical discussion and analysis of Eisenhower’s warning of the Military Industrial Complex in his farewell address. It is supported with up to date examples of how things have not changed and even gotten worse to a certain extent. This article will further aid me in establishing the definition and notion of the MIA.

Turse, Nicholas. “The Military-Academic Complex.” (2004). http://www.countercurrents.org/us-turse290404.htm, 8 February 2011.

This author gives a brief history of the Military Industrial Academic Complex then goes into more statistical information as far as how many universities are affiliated with the MIA and what percentage of funding goes to these universities from the Department of Defense to do military defense research. The author states that according to a 2002 report by the Association of American Universities (AAU), almost 350 colleges and universities conduct Pentagon-funded research; universities receive more than 60% of defense basic research funding; and the Department of Defense is the third largest federal funder of university research. These numbers are shocking, but Cal Poly has received a part of the 60% of basic defense research, as ex-President Baker signed a multi-million dollar contract last year with the Department of Defense in New Orleans. There are many more statistics given within this article, and more information to be found connecting Cal Poly to the infamous MIA.

Tourism shapes industry - Abstract

The development of a country is often measured through the success or lack thereof of the industrial sector. Through continued dependence on foreign support Malta failed to develop in industry and technology until after its independence in 1964. In addition, industrial growth has been limited by the lack of natural resources available on the island - water and energy are limited. By considering the natural resources available, the history of industry on the island, and analysis of its current economic status, the impact of tourism on the country can be assessed. In Malta, tourism is an important economic contributor and has shaped the more recent industrial development. Tourism is important to the island of Malta given how industry has been formed around it, however, this has been a detriment to the islands technological development. These detriments can be seen through the struggle with natural resources of water and oil, the absence of manufacturing prior to 1959, and the absence of a unique industrial field.

Running away from technology

Abstract

It is often said that all one needs to run is a good pair of running shoes. That is not true. The human foot in an intricate piece of machinery. This has been lost in the cushion of technology and the development of the modern running shoe. The engineering behind a shoe is often done to provide stability and support for a variety of arches. But the foot’s arch is made to support; not be supported. Technology has woven a shoe around the foot that claims to reduce injuries but is attributing to them. The Tarahumara People of Mexico’s Copper Canyons are known as the running people. To run jagged mountain sides all they wear around their feet is a thin layer of rubber and strap connecting it to their feet. What I argue is a less modern, more seemingly archaic way of running is best: barefoot running. This is not new. Running with less technology is best. Of course no on wants to slice a bare foot open on glass, or other harmful materials. . . run with caution.

Monterrey Tech as a Microcosm for Mexico’s Global Engineering Initiatives

Abstract:
This research project aims to explore Instituto Tecnológico de Monterrey (Monterrey Tech, i.e. MT) as a prestigious technological institute in Mexico, STEM higher education in Mexico, and the influence of the United States Mexico’s educational expectations its college population. Draft Thesis: Mexico’s proximity to the United States has influenced the structure and priorities of STEM education in Mexico. In this research article, MT is used as a case study to illustrate how the U.S’s role as a global power inspires Mexico to shape its STEM education to achieve global competitiveness.


Banks, Jerry. "South of the Border Adventure: Georgia Tech Professor Emeritus Gets
an Education in Different Cultures and Teaching Techniques at Mexico's Highly Rated Monterrey Tech." ORMS Today (2008). Operations Research Management Science Today. Web. .

Bank’s article gives some background information on the city of Monterrey, such as its geographic location, and on it’s world-famous tech school as well. This article plays off of the internationalization theme in Murphy’s article, and gives some concrete examples of how Monterrey Tech “strengthens its worldwide presence” (Banks); this includes inviting foreign professors to serve as visiting faculty members (this is the case for Banks). What is more relevant to my argument, stated in the article, is that MT is accredited by the U.S’s Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) to confer undergraduate and graduate degrees in the master’s and doctoral level. After research on the SACS website, I have found that 5 out of the 10 universities that are accredited outside the U.S. are in Mexico, and that all of them are private institutions. I feel this to be significant and relevant data.


Engardio, Pete. "A Mexican Technology Park in Monterrey." Business Week Online 2
June 2009: 16. Web.2009/id2009061_243746.htm>.

This is a current article about unveiling of PIIT (The Research and Innovation Technology Park) in Monterrey. The importance of this industrial park comes with bringing a shift in Monterrey (and also in the rest of Mexico) from labor manufacturing to more highly technological manufacturing. This shift speaks to the hope to change Mexico from a developing country to a competitively industrialized nation. This being an online reference, the validity was checked first: the author of the article is credible, as the most recent in his considerable list of accomplishments includes being a Reuters Journalism Fellow at Oxford; I feel that this balances the fact that the article is published on a .com domain. However, that it is published as an article in a business magazine suggests that the publisher most probably does not include a focus other than business-related topics.


John F. Tanner Jr, Christophe Fournier, Jorge A. Wise, Sandrine Hollet, Juliet Poujol,
(2008) "Executives' Perspectives of the Changing Role of the Sales Profession: Views from France, the United States, and Mexico", Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, Vol. 23 Iss: 3, pp.193 – 202

This article provides a complement to the Murphy text in two ways: 1) it cites professionalization as a key component for the growth of sales (whereas Murphy’s text discusses internationalization for the growth of education, i.e. professionalization is to sales, as internationalization is to education). 2) It extends Murphy’s text to include the United States, and while France is not included in my research, it is valuable to have it as a third measure of comparison, especially given that the U.S., and perhaps Mexico by extension, have inherited some of the traditions of French engineering. Some areas of additional research for me would be to explore the concept of ‘value-added’, as this is in an important concept touched upon in the article. While this article touches on sales, I believe this is a relevant topic to my research focus as (engineering) industry and sales have a symbiotic relationship.


Murphy, Moira. "Experiences in the Internationalization of Education: Strategies to
Promote Equality of Opportunity at Monterrey Tech." Higher Education 53
(2007): 167-208. Print.

Murphy explores who, why and how of internationalization of education in Mexican universities. The argument for internationalization is that it is “the antidote to the subjectivism of domestic education, as it is not ‘culture free’ (Murphy 171). In implementing this model, there are risks and implications, an important one being the equality of opportunity to students of all types of socio-economic backgrounds. I would cite the lack of acknowledgement to the intersectionality that race could play in Mexico; indigenous to Hispanic (or other type of European) Mexicans might play a factor in who receives education in Mexico. This article is particularly relevant to my project because it uses Monterrey Tech specifically as a case study for the implementation of internationalization; this is the institution I will argue represents the premier institution in STEM education in Mexico due to its proximity to the United States.


Tecnológico De Monterrey. Web._GLOBAL_CONTEXT=>.

To collect some data, I have incorporated the website for MT, which is an .edu domain. Already, some of the information I have gathered is staggering; for a private institution, MT has 25 satellite university campuses throughout Mexico alone. In addition, it has offices and points of contact throughout Central and South America, Europe, and East Asia. This seems to support Murphy’s article regarding the internationalization of MT. I will be referring back to this website often to review admissions criteria, majors offered, and curriculum, in addition to its possible links to industry projects.

Brazil - Worldwide Leader in Ethanol Production

Draft Abstract

The oil crisis of the late 1970s had an effect felt around the world, but while many other countries only temporarily turn their attention away from fossil fuels, Brazil pushed forward to become the global leader in ethanol production methods. Why did Brazil succeed in eliminating its dependence on foreign oil where other nations failed? My paper will focus on the history, development, and future of ethanol production in the country of Brazil and what steps it took to succeed where others failed. The uniquely Brazilian engineering culture will be showcased for its ability to adapt to changing demands from agricultural, energy, and global markets. The feasibility of transferring this technology to other appropriate developing countries will also be discussed.

Annotated Bibliography

1. Ethanol's mid-life crisis. (2010). Economist, 396(8698), 41-42.

The article focuses on Brazil's sugar industry. Sugar is the main crop in this country, which is the biggest exporter in the world. While sugar cane is very valuable, the needs of the market determine if it is used as a source of biomass energy products and biofuels, notably ethanol, or turned directly into sugar. Sugar now also forms the nucleus of a new agro-industrial and renewable-energy complex. Each segment of the sugar industry is asking for government regulation to promote its use. Government officials complain that when the world sugar price is high, the mills divert cane away from producing ethanol, which can make its price rise as well.

This struggle within the industry helps to showcase how the success of new technology or industry can be molded by government attention. For instance, Brazil's government requires petrol to be blended with three or four parts ethanol to one of petrol. This control of the market creates the demand necessary for such a large capital intensive industry to survive in a competitive, and often unfair, market. The United States and Europe do something similar while also placing a tariff on imported ethanol. While Brazil is more efficient at producing ethanol than any other country on Earth, the tariffs placed on each gallon of imported ethanol makes it more expensive than domestic ethanol.

2. Goldemberg, J. (2008). The brazilian biofuels industry.Biotechnology for Biofuels,1(6), 6.

This paper reviews the technological characteristics of ethanol as a fuel, the present 'status' of the ethanol Program in Brazil, the characteristics of ethanol as a renewable fuel, the future perspectives of the ethanol program in Brazil, and discusses the limitations on expansion for the industry. The author is very thorough in his citation of specific statistics with regards to each of these categories. This information will be helpful in analyzing the environmental, political, economic impacts of this technology. In the paper’s discussion of the future of ethanol, the mention of a reliance on first generation technologies as a limiting factor is enlightening. He mentioned the efficiency of sugarcane-to-ethanol production can still be increased through improvements such as TRS (total recoverable sugar), which has increased 1.5% per year in the period 1977–2004. These statistics will help to show how these technologies may be viable if transferred to other countries around the world.

3. REGALADO, A. (2010). Race for cellulosic fuels spurs brazilian research program.Science, 327(5968), 928-929

This article explains the importance of scientific discovery in the global race for ethanol production. The article stresses the importance of efficiency in production technologies. It mentions that Brazil’s sugar-cane based ethanol can be produced for half of what it costs in the United States, where ethanol is made from corn. The article discusses the huge amount of investments the U.S. and Europe are making in next-generation approaches, such as cellulosic ethanol production. Cellulosic ethanol is especially attractive because it can create energy from plant material normally considered waste. Brazil is also investing in this technology and has just built a demonstration plant of its own. Up til now, biofuel research has been practical or “applied research” based and many believe that is still the way to go, citing improvements to sugar extraction methods and the development of flex-fuel cares. Scientists claim that development of “next-generation” technologies can increase per-acre ethanol production by 40%, which would not be possible with first-generation technologies. To help realize these assumptions, Brazil is partnering with international companies such as Royal Dutch Shell and Monsanto to develop biofuel R&D.

4. Sovacool, B. (2010). The importance of open and closed styles of energy research.Social Studies of Science (Sage), 40(6), 903-930.

This paper explores the styles of research associated with wind turbines, ethanol and fuel cells in six countries. The concept of a ‘research style’ emphasizes that values and interests, along with deeper historical and cultural influences, shape research and get built into technology. Open research styles are epitomized by a broad inclusion of actors in the research process, participatory ownership of its results, cooperation among stakeholders and users, and experimentation and flexibility. Closed research styles are distinguished by limited access and ownership, competition among researchers, centralization of the research process and rigidity in dictating programme goals and preferences. The paper uses the concept of open and closed research styles to compare the experiences of Denmark, Brazil and China (open) with those in the USA, France and Norway (closed).

5. Qurashi, M and Hussain, Tajammul. (2005). Renewable Energy Technologies for Developing Countries Now and to 2023. Published by the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

This is a very comprehensive document which encapsulates the need, importance, options and impact of renewable energy technologies in nearly all aspects of economic and environmental livelihood. The authors go on to establish policy options and alternatives both on the international and national stages. This book gives a thorough assessment of energy options and relates those with specific reference to various developing countries. The book assesses and analyzes the current energy situation of the world and provides logical and practical suggestions and recommendations for the future world energy assessment and policy. This will be invaluable to comparing the transferability of ethanol and biomass technology from Brazil to other countries around the world. It will also serve to give suggestions on other types of technologies might be appropriate to deal with the energy needs of developing countries.

6. Sandalow, David. (May 2006). Ethanol: Lesson from Brazil

This article comes from the American perspective and seeks to understand what we as a country can learn from Brazil’s experience with ethanol. The article first talks about the need for ethanol and how the United States is lagging behind Brazil in ethanol production. It then summarizes the history of the Brazilian ethanol program, describes the program’s current status and considers lessons for the United States from the Brazilian experience. It gives five lessons that the United States can learn from Brazil:

1. 1. Rapid expansion of ethanol production is possible with government support.

2. Consistency counts – Requiring ethanol make up a certain percentage of fuel supply

3. 3. Any ethanol program must anticipate commodity price swings

4. 4. Public attitudes can change quickly, in 1970s enthusiasm was high in late 80s was low

5. 5. Ethanol technologies improve steadily with time, between 1975 and 2000 production per hectare more than doubled and harvesting prices fell by more than half.

7. Struminski, Thiago. (April 2008). Has the world really discovered the advantages of Brazilian automotive engineering? Obtained on February 9^th, 2011 from http://www.frost.com/prod/servlet/market-insight-top.pag?docid=127369340

This article showcases the automotive engineering side of Brazil. It gives a history of the development of a uniquely Brazilian approach to engineering that could not be transferred from the international companies opening up factories. Because Brazil is such a large country, with poor road conditions, and wide ranges in temperatures, engineers had to design a durable and flexible automobile. The Brazilian automotive industry has been the pioneer in producing small pick-ups and 1.0 liter engines. Cars with 1.0 liter engines account for 52 percent of all cars sold in the country. While this is impressive the true flagship automotive technology is related to alternative fuels. Flex-fuel cars, ones which allow a mixture of ethanol and gasoline, are very popular in the country and are now offered in 86 percent of new cars. These developments in engineering have led to General Motors electing Brazil as one of the five Global Engineering Centers (the others are U.S, Europe, Australia and South Korea). Even while this is happening, engineering as a profession in Brazil is woefully underrepresented. Most developed countries have an average of 25 engineers per every 1000 inhabitants; Brazil is much lower, with only six per 1000 inhabitants. To remedy this problem, local associations are trying to incentive newcomers at the very bottom of the education system creating technical courses for youngsters and fostering a culture of technology. It is a wonder if the government should be creating an engineering culture as well.