Educating Future Engineers to be Responsible Citizens
Abstract
In a time of rapid technological and societal transformation, universities are called upon to prepare future engineers not only for professional success, but also for their societal responsibilities. In addition to technical expertise, engineers need ethical awareness, sustainability competencies, and the ability to reflect critically on the consequences of their actions. Topics such as digitalization, artificial intelligence, and data literacy are becoming increasingly essential. Engineering education must therefore integrate socially relevant skills alongside scientific and methodological foundations. This article presents the ongoing transformation of engineering curricula at TU Berlin, beginning with the adoption of a mission statement on teaching in 2018. It outlines key developments over the past six years, including structural measures and teaching formats designed to foster ethics, sustainability, and interdisciplinary thinking. Practical examples demonstrate how these topics can be embedded into existing programs through interdisciplinary collaboration and curriculum development. The article also reflects on obstacles encountered and lessons learned along the way. By sharing these insights, it aims to contribute to the international dialogue on engineering education and invites readers to discuss strategies, methods, and structures that support the development of responsible and socially engaged engineers. Keywords: Sustainability, ethics, data literacy, responsible citizens, curriculum development