Graphic designing is a dynamic field and a great and lucrative profession. You can be an expert in this field if you learn and practice design skills by joining a course. Before you spend your money in the course, you must know the graphic design course description. This implies that you should know what all you are going to learn through the design course you are interested in.

You must join a reputed college or school to lean graphic design. In these colleges you will be prepared for challenging, exciting, and creative careers in graphic designing.

There are many colleges that offer certificates and/or degrees in graphic designing.

If you get training from a good college, you will be taught practical as well as theoretical aspects extensively. This helps you become professionally qualified for a solid career not only in graphic design but also in publishing, advertising, and movie production.

Apart from conceptual and formal skills you will be able to learn technological skills as well. Your graphic design course will cover different aspects of art and design. These include drawing, color, 3D graphics, and also history of graphic design.

You will find that all the multimedia courses offered by premiere schools make use of advance and industry relevant technology. This makes students up-to-date in the graphic designing as they graduate.

Furthermore, graphic design program includes digital illustration, which will help you develop electronic illustration skills. Web page design will introduce you to the ever growing media industry. In this part you will get to learn HTML coding and layout design.

In 3D modeling and animation you will get hands-on training in 3D animation using industry relevant software applications such as 3Ds Max, Maya, and lots more.

Apart from multimedia graphic design programs you may also learn special effects, video editing, and sound editing.

In advanced levels of the course you will get know-how of studio and production workflows, film imaging, and digital video capturing and scanning. You will also learn about different operating systems and print technologies.

Thus, graphic design education you receive from a prestigious college will allow you to transfer your graphic design knowledge and practical skills over to the business world.

In these colleges you will not only get training in graphic design, but will also get classes for various other valuable courses, such as art and design history, computer applications, communication skills, and critical thinking. These classes will certainly complement your graphic design classes. Courses focused on multimedia industry will inculcate in you logical thinking, public-speaking, and problem-solving skills that you require to add to your graphic design learning and help you become accustomed to most business world situations.

Nigeria is a country with about one hundred and forty million inhabitants: a fast growing country with a near-vibrant economy. The Country over the years has been bedeviled by corruption. The social fabric has been in deplorable condition, leading to unfanciful placements in the world index standards.

Education is vital in human existence; it is a tool which helps government, private sector and informal units. For Nigeria as a country to forge ahead we need qualitative and substantive education. Over the years the educational system has been in disorder and the future of our children is in peril. The efforts of our founding fathers to make Nigerian Universities and Polytechnics solid seem to have gone down the drain.

The latest ranking of World Universities, places the first University in Nigeria- University of Ife, a distant six thousand three hundred and thirty four (6,334).Succor seems to have been found in foreign education. Countries like: U.S, UK, Australia, Canada, Singapore, Finland, Japan, etc have good educational system. Acquiring education outside the country is expensive per se. Average tuition fees (Bsc) of some selected countries (excluding living expenses) for undergraduate are: U.S $8,000, UK 6,000 pounds, Singapore $4,000, Malta $20,000, Malaysia $1,000, Ireland 6,000 euro, Norway-free, Sweden-free, Germany-free, Denmark-free, Finland-free, etc. These fees when converted to Naira is: Malaysia N130,000,UK N1,400,000,US N1,040,000,Malta N2,600,000,etc.

Free education- in all levels, is available in some countries in Europe-Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Germany. In Sweden, all levels of education are free. The Swedish system includes not only traditional universities but also different kinds of Teacher Training, Health Care Training, Technical Training; etc.Education funding is the responsibility of: the Central government, regional authorities and private interests. All institutions of higher education fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education except the University Sciences (Ministry of Agriculture).Higher education is divided into undergraduate studies (combined towards a first degree) and postgraduate studies and research. Sweden has 39 accredited institutions of Higher education that offer structured degree programmes.English language is a mode of study at some universities. Foreign students are allowed to work and study. Sweden has a boisterous economy with a very high per-capita income. Nigerian students should take this opportunity to study in Sweden.

In Finland all institutions of higher education are subject to the authority of the Ministry of Education, Research and Church Affairs. Higher Education in Norway is mainly offered at state institutions: Universities, University colleges, state colleges and art Colleges. Bachelors degree is completed after 3yrs of study, Master's degree is completed after 2yrs duration, and PhD is after 3 years duration. Education is free at all levels in Finland. Foreign students can study in English since some Universities and colleges offer their courses in English Language. Students can work and study in Finland. There is no specific minimum wage, because there is no legislation on it.

In Malaysia there are four kinds of institutions offering higher education, namely: local public University, international Universities, Private Universities, and over 500 Public Higher Educational Institutions(PHEIS).The Systematic Education Group of Colleges operates eight Private Higher Educational Institutions(PHEIS). Systematic's prime objective is to provide training to school leavers for their future career in Accounting ,Business, Computing, Marketing, management, Banking, secretarial and Commerce and industry. Systematic has produced world-class students in professional courses such as LCCI, ACCA, CIMA, ICSA, CIMA, ABE and CIM. A good reason why international students should study in Malaysia is that the holders of student pass or permit are allowed to work while studying to supplement their living. Students are allowed to work part-time for a maximum of 20 hours per week. Students have options to work in: local companies, multinational companies and embassies. Getting jobs in the multinational companies will depend on your prior qualifications and the salary range from $1,500-$2,500 per month. Students getting jobs in a local company is easy: the salary is from $800-$1,500.Accomodation is from $65/month-$150.The country is so affordable to live in. Lots of Nigerians are already in Malaysia studying for different programmes.

Singapore has an Educational system similar to that of the UK. At Tertiary level it has three Universities and 7 other institutions affiliated to both local and foreign Universities, and 4 polytechnics. The full-time enrollment of the Universities is about 40,000, of which 20,000 are female. Tuition fees of international students are generally 10% more than that for Singapore students. Tuition depends on the discipline you offer.Specialised disciplines like medicine and dentistry costs more than that of science, humanities, and law. Medicine goes for between $8,500 and $10,000/session: humanities, law, social science etc go for between $2,500-6000 for bachelor's degree. The tuition fee for the 4-year Polytechnic is between $1,350-2,500. Singapore government highly subsidizes its higher education through the tuition grant. The tuition fee Loan Scheme helps pay 75%-80% of tuition fees, which makes higher education accessible to almost everyone. If after graduation you can't afford to pay your loan, you will have to work an extra year or two to enable you pay the balance. The economy of Singapore is so boisterous. It is placed 20th in the table of the richest countries with a per capita income of $24,500/year Living in Singapore is inexpensive compared to income earned; and it seems higher education in Singapore is affordable to all able students.

Scholarships helps students who want to study abroad actualize it with less financial burden. Some examples are: British council fellowship programmes, Commonwealth Scholarship and fellowship plan, Commonwealth science council, UNESCO, Ford Foundation, African Education Trust, The Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial scholarship etc. British Chevening Scholarships -is funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (the British Ministry of Foreign Affairs).They give out scholarships every year in over 150 countries world-wide. This scholarship scheme provides fully funded Master's Degree programmes to talented graduates and young Nigeria.Chevening has since inception produced over 800 Nigerian scholars. This figure puts the country first in Sub-Saharan Africa. British Council Fellowship Programmes- nationals of about 70 countries are eligible for full study at postgraduate level through the British council fellowship scheme, which is administered through its offices overseas. The scheme is advertised through the British Council in countries in which it operates. Details are available from British Council Offices. Ford Foundation-the international Fellowships programme (IFP) provides support for up to three years of formal graduate level study. Fellows must be nationals from Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana, Chile, Peru, Russia, and Vietnam.

Overseas certificates are rated very high in the country. Most people when they come back to the country with their certificates always get higher positions. A friend of mine who works in a bank went to UK for his MBA.He spent one year in UK before coming back. When he came back his bank promoted him and not up to two weeks after, he got another job (paying twice his salary in his former office).

The dream of studying abroad can be achieved through proper planning. With free schools in Germany, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Norway, you can study for your PhD, MSC, MBA, Diploma, BSc, LLB etc without paying for tuition. Your first step towards studying abroad is to get adequate information: browse universities sites, countries sites, scholarship sites, and etc.Get prospectuses of Universities or colleges, go through the courses and curriculum. Get many admissions before choosing.

This has to be one of the most, if not THE most important part of your success plan for your doctoral degree. Choosing the right research topic is vital to your ongoing self-motivation, peace of mind and can even affect the work career you intend to start after graduation.

Whether you are a distance degree student or on-campus, the same principles do closely apply.

First of all, make sure you really want to commit 2 or 3 years of your life to this terminal degree (the highest level degree!) You should have been thinking for some time already about what you want to focus your research on, but if you haven't, or just haven't had the time yet, select a dissertation topic that you are extremely excited about and have passion for. It must be so exciting and interesting to you that you are able to jump out of bed on weekend mornings and study and write and research right through the weekend and STILL feel energized and buoyant on Monday morning. It really has to be that good a topic.

It is almost like starting a new business - choose something you are passionate about, but if you don't you'll lose interest and your ability to succeed will have been thwarted right from the start. Bear in mind though that your Master degree professors and careers advisors are there to help.

A dissertation topic that carries your highest interest will encourage feedback from colleagues, peers, advisors, other faculties, and even the industry that is involved in the research. The energy you output can be that contagious. You will gladly and openly discuss it at social gatherings.

That deep yearning for researching your topic of choice is what will get you through that towering mountain of a dissertation. Don't put yourself into a position where giving up later on cold have been avoided. Plan this decision carefully. Discuss with friends and family too if it helps.

A final note. The dissertation is the bottom line, the bread-and-the-butter of academia. So choose your focus wisely.

Stay on the ball. Keep it real.

Range (also known as range lands) is a barren land that is not fit for agriculture and cultivation. Range land is mainly utilized as a source of continuous forage for cattle. Ranges can also provide natural resources like minerals and timber. Also these can be utilized as spaces for recreation and enjoyment. An ideal range land should provide almost all of the above-mentioned utilities. It should act as a source of foliage for domestic and other types of animals; it should provide natural resources; also it should have the facilities to be converted as a park or any other recreational spot. For making a range land ideal for all these purposes, a stream of science has emerged. It is called the management of range ecology. Generally the management of range ecology is associated with environment and agriculture.

There are a number of universities and educational institutions in United States that offer courses in management of range lands. Montana State University, University of Idaho, Oregon State University, Colorado State University, Texas A and M University are some of the major universities in United States that provide excellent bachelor-level and post-graduate courses in range management. As the specialization of range ecology and management has good career prospects with various government and ecological organizations, the number of students opting for range management course has been continuously on the rise.

With personal computer and internet becoming common household accessories, the idea of distance education has gained a new dimension. Many technologically advanced universities started providing online learning facility for their regular courses. A student can register himself or herself through the official website of the university and select a course that he or she wants to study. The university then sends notes and lectures through e-mail. Some universities even arrange video conferencing facility for simulating real-life class-room learning atmosphere. Although range ecology and its management is not a common and conventional specialization like bio-technology or molecular physics, there are several universities that allow students to pursue studies on range ecology and its management through internet.

The Animal and Range Sciences Department of Montana State University provides an excellent online degree course on range ecology. The department offers diverse research and training material in range ecology, habitat management, watershed management, grazing management and plant-animal interactions. University of Idaho also offers an online degree course on range ecology. Similarly Oregon State University provides an online degree course and management with a curriculum that is intended to prepare students to think about the range ecology critically and comprehend the mutually beneficial interactions between living species and soil. Colorado State University has a bachelor-level study program and management that emphasizes on biodiversity, environmental ethics, environmental planning, and range management.

"Apply to as many scholarships as you can!" This has been one of the most common recommendations for college hopefuls who need student aid to pursue their higher education. And for those of you who aren't sure of making the cut, one thing you can do is apply to as many scholarship opportunities out there as you can. By expanding your pool of scholarship providers, you boost your chances at bagging at least one scholarship to finance your education.

Applying for multiple scholarships shouldn't be a problem, since tons of opportunities are out there for you to consider. Unfortunately, searching for the right scholarships is still a little difficult for many students. Because although thousands of scholarships are up for grabs out there, a lot of college aspirants are still confused about which ones they could actually qualify for.

Part of this confusion stems from a myth that scholarships are based on academic or athletic merit. Because applicants are immediately eliminated by such a limited scope of eligibility in traditional scholarships, people tend to think that their options are likewise limited.

But this isn't the case at all. Not only are there so many scholarships available each year, there are also so many types of scholarships offered as well. Chances are, you will find a scholarship that accommodates your unique strengths and is willing to help you pursue a college education. All you need to know is where you can look for scholarships that match you and your professional goals.

One of the most reliable sources of information would be your high school guidance counselor. More often than not, guidance counselors have useful information regarding different types of scholarships offered in different colleges. Discuss with your guidance counselor where you plan to apply and which course you are planning to take, and then ask what your available scholarship options are. In addition, your guidance counselor would probably know your best attributes as a student and can therefore provide insights on what scholarships are tailored for you. High school guidance counselors may also give you advice on what you need to do to improve your chances of winning a scholarship award.

But guidance counselors aren't the only valuable sources of information in your high school. Club advisors in the organizations that you are a member of may also be knowledgeable in scholarships that put special emphasis on the extra-curricular activities you participate in. It could help you a lot if you ask for their advice as well. By doing so, you can have a better idea about which scholarships are available to you based on your strengths and interests as a student.

Now that you have a basic understanding of where you can start looking for scholarship opportunities, it's time to do the gritty work. Although you already have an idea of what scholarships are offered by the colleges you are interested in, don't limit yourself to the scholarships offered by academic institutions. Look for other scholarship providers that aren't as well-known so the competition isn't too stiff. There are many more sources that offer various types of scholarships, such as foundations or organizations like the Rotary Club or your local Masonic Lodge.

Of course, there are other general types of scholarships that are given based on sociological background such as need, heritage, ethnicity, religion etc. Understand which demography you belong to so you can see if there are more scholarships available to you. These scholarships may also be searched online. If you wish to, you may also contact your local government for more information regarding need based government student aids.

As long as you know where to search and how to search for scholarships that suit you, your options won't seem limited at all. For the current generation, searching and applying for different scholarships has become more convenient than ever, thanks to online resources that yield promising scholarship results with just a mouse-click. The rest depends on you and on how much you're willing to work to land a scholarship perfect for your own skills and talents.

Guaranteed textbook buy back programs have sprung up all over, online and off. You just have to keep an eye open for the right books. You know what textbook buy back is - wait in line, offer the university cashier your used textbook and hope they give you something other than loose change for it. But now you can get guaranteed textbook buy back.

The store will tell you what they will pay you for your book when you buy it, and you avoid the problems of keeping a book you don't need after the class is finished.

Does This Work for Used Textbooks?

Even used textbooks can also be guaranteed. The department and the professors at your school have to using the book for a few years, then the store will offer a guarantee on that book. Online stores use a slightly different method, but the result is the same - if they see significant and continuing usage of the book, they can offer a guarantee for a used book, too.

The Numbers

This breakdown won't be perfect, but you will get an idea of how these programs work. When a college or an online bookstore offers a guaranteed textbook buy back on a new book, they will often promise you 50 percent of the book price you paid at the beginning of the class. Then, they will add half of that when they resell it used, a total of about 75 percent of your price.

Used textbooks will work similarly but with slightly different numbers. You may get a higher percentage for your used book, say two thirds of what you paid. If you have access to a guaranteed textbook buy back, you get a pretty good deal. You know which textbooks you can sell for something, you probably know how much, and you save time. Cool. You get cheap textbooks and cash back.

Online and On Campus Differences

Textbook buy back will be a bit different online and on campus. You will have to ship for an online bookstore, but not on campus. And you will have to wait for the online bookstore to acknowledge your books. On the other hand, an online store may have a wider variety of books with a guarantee. You may also be able to return the books earlier than at the bookstore. Also, I have seen online bookstores provide the postage for you, so you just drop it in the mail.

On the other hand, your on campus bookstore will be close by, no waiting for a check. They will give you cash, and hopefully the line will be short.

Both will decide if the books have been damaged before they pay - severe damage invalidates the guarantee. Don't drop it in a lake, or clip out the pages you like. Some wear is normal, some writing, some highlighting. You have to have all the pieces - all the pages, and any disks or student workbooks if included when you bought the book.

Go For It
You can't expect to get all your textbooks cheap. I managed to do it in several classes, and even made money on one book. But over a full term of classes or a year, you have to expect to spend some money. In those cases, the guaranteed textbook buy back fills the bill, and helps reduce your expenses.

You no doubt have tried textbook buy back at your university - or you soon will. It involves waiting in line, hoping that the statistics you barely passed in class will still help you get some cash out of the book you paid $80 to buy. But have you ever seen textbook buy back with a guarantee? A guarantee lets you avoid keeping a book you don't need, and you don't have wonder if you can sell it to the bookstore.

Textbook Buy Back Pains

I hated that feeling, as I stood in line to sell back my books. Know the feeling? You wait. You look around to see who else has your same books. You ask yourself, Will they still need my book? And finally, you arrive at the register, and they only need 1 of the 5 books you have. You get your $35 bucks, out of $250 or so you spent on books this semester, and you carry the other ones home.

A New Way for Textbook Buy Back: The Guarantee

For many books, you can avoid this now by getting books through websites and stores that will guarantee to buy back your book. Some campus stores and some online stores will guarantee to buy back certain books, and they will even tell you how much they will pay you. You still have some limitations, as you might expect.

End of Semester Time Saver

At the end of the semester, you will just take your books to a drop off point and pick up your cash - but you may have a line still. The difference is that you will also have a guaranteed return. With online stores, you will usually get a prepaid postage sticker you have to keep until the end of the term, and then you'll mail them back for a check.

The companies that provide this service will tell you how much they will pay. Many university bookstores also offer this service. The books included in the program will typically have a sticker or an icon, if online, to show you that they have a guaranteed textbook buy back amount.

Be careful to leave the stickers on the books! They serve as your guarantee! Campus bookstores usually require that their sticker still be on the book.

Which Textbooks Are Included
Not all textbooks will have the guarantee, regardless of where you buy them. Even if some of yours don't, you can still do it the old way during buy back week. And of course you can also try to sell it online.

Ask at your school bookstore if they offer guaranteed textbook buy back. And online, you can check out your favorite stores for guaranteed offers.

Good luck!

A college textbook purchase can set you back hundreds of dollars. This article shows one great way to save money in college by getting a textbook free. You can't do it every time, but if you make some good friends, and if you treat their used textbooks well, you can save some serious money.

The Strategy: Borrow from A Friend
I know, it sounds pathetic, but you need to save money right? It's easy. I just called and emailed some friends that had been in other classes with me, and I asked if they still had their textbooks. One did, and he let me borrow them for the semester.

Tip: Make lots of friends like this. I had a friend a semester or two ahead of me, and he took similar classes. We did have one class together and we hit it off. Also, he loved to keep his books for reference for later. I didn't keep mine, and he didn't mind loaning his. I was always careful with his books, and I didn't write in them. I just had to drive to his house to get them, and I avoided several college textbook purchases by maintaining the friendship.

One of the books I needed just had articles in it - just a bunch of articles in one place. A new version had come out, so I had to ask the professor what articles we would be using, and compare that to my borrowed book. He said there were only a few new ones, and I found those online doing a search, or through a library database, like EBSCO Host. I had access as part of being a student, so it was free.

I took care of his books and returned them at the end of the term. And he lent me some more after that.

Nearly Free: Technically, I may have had to use some paper and toner to print a 10 or 20 page article, and I drove to his house to get the books. Still, not bad ;o)

A college textbook purchase can set you back hundreds of dollars. You'll learn 1 great place to look to avoid buying textbooks altogether. You may not know it, but you can often get textbooks for free. Learn this technique for saving money in college, and use it over and over again.

How to Take A Class - But Not Buy A Textbook

So many classes have expensive textbooks, and you probably want to save money for having fun, and maybe even eating while you go to college. Take a look at this strategy for to skip the bookstore and still get access to the books you need to pass.

The Study Lab

When I took an economics class as an undergrad, we had a lab to go to study for the class. A teaching assistant was there to answer any questions, with his own book. The lab had some great hours, but was often unoccupied. Those poor TA's have hardly any company unless a test or big assignment comes up. You can be his or her very best student!

Simply go to the lab and use the book and ask questions, just like you should as an interested student. Let the lab assistant help you, and use their book while in the lab. Just think - you can skip the textbook in a class like this.

Bonus: You finished your assignment, and you avoided a college textbook purchase, but be sure your class actually has a study lab, a TA, and a book before you try this one. This strategy will even beat the prices at a used textbook sale.

There is one main thing that all should remember before you start packing. Get all the stuff that you need for the move ready and in sight. Then decide on the more important things that need to packed. For example, do not get attached to your old soccer jerseys and pants along with the notes from your 11th grade history class. Donate the clothes, recycle the paper, throw away the liquor bottles - and clean out your ash trays!

• Start with throwing the things that you do not need. The pencil stubs, the old notebooks and pencil cases. Throw out all the things that you will not need at all. This makes your packing much easier and faster.
• Then decide what things you will be using until the day of your move. This includes your toothbrush, shaving kit, combs, clothes and the rest. Prioritizing is the best bet in packing.
• Pack the things that you will not need at all later. This includes the spare clothes, old notebooks that you desperately want, other books, extra pair of shoes and the likes.
• Do not start packing too early and don't pack the essentials till the last minute.
• The exodus that will take place at the end of the term is something that you should avoid too. Start packing in the last week of the term.
• Get naphthalene balls (mothballs) and Styrofoam peanuts or bubble wrap. Pack all the heavy items in small cartons including the huge pile of books. Do not pack the heavy stuff together in one box. You should distribute the weight equally amongst the boxes. Do not put all the books in one box. It is best to make the packs so that you can pick them up without having to take painkillers at night. This is the best way to avoid back pain.
• Boxes are the best things that you can use for packing your stuff. Use plenty of boxes to pack your stuff.
• Make sure that you have all your stuff properly fit in these boxes so that you do not end up having to carry stuff one at a time.
• Have power bars handy along with some fruit drink bottles. Make sure that your charge your batteries and mobile phones. Duct tapes, Ziploc bags are a great way to pack effectively.

Make sure that you have all the stuff in your boxes and that you do not leave anything around for the next batch to admire. You need to clean the dorm before you take up the apartment. Using mousetraps with cheese on them to catch the mice is a good idea.

Do not let packing get on your nerves. Make it an experience that does not make your hair stand on their ends. Relax and start packing at the right time. Make sure that you leave some food supplies out so that you do not starve for the next four days.

Now that you have taken the SAT, what's next? Writing your college application essay that's what's next.

If your SAT scores are in and you know where you want to attend; it's time to start thinking about and writing your college essay. Don't wait till the last minute to write your college application essay.

In many instances a well crafted essay can have a greater impact on your college acceptance than your SAT score. So, take the time and make the effort to prepare your a masterpiece.

The anatomy of a college essay is as follows:

* the topic
* supporting points
* title
* opening
* body
* closing

Choose Your Topic and Supporting Points

The first thing you want to do is decide exactly what you want to write about within the guidelines of each school to which you are applying.

Most schools will have a list of possible topics from which you can choose. If you are applying at more than one college, it makes sense to use a topic that will work for all your choices so you only have to write one great essay. So think long and hard about your topic and how you are going to describe it.

Try to think of a different or unusual way to tell the reader exactly who you are and why they should choose you over some one else. Remember they will be reading several essays and you want yours to standout from the rest. Examine your life and try to find an event that you can use to show your character and passions.

Then develop about three points that will support your topic. The explanation and expansion of your supporting points will be the paragraphs of your essay body.

The Essay Title

After choosing your topic and the supporting points, you need to create a knockout title. Your title should reflect your topic, catch the reader's attention and be memorable.

The title Why I Want to go to XYZ University won't standout. You need to avoid being generic. However, used in the right context Gone Fishing could be a great title. Be creative.

The process of creating your title needs time. You may even change your mind as you write and expand your essay, that's okay. Just remember that a good title can make all the difference.

The Essay Opening

Your opening should introduce your topic and supporting points, but most of all it should grab the reader's attention and make them want to finish your essay.

You can accomplish this task by using a quote, a startling statistic or a controversial phrase. Each of these methods work equally well as long as it fits your topic. Don't use something just to use it. It must fit logically.

A well written opening will get the reader to the closing and you to the next level.

The Essay Body

The essay body is usually three or four paragraphs based on your supporting points. Use the body to tell the story or stories that demonstrate your differences, passions and character. However, remember to be brief and precise don't write for the sake of writing. Tell the story and be done.

The Essay Closing

The essay closing is probably the most important part of the essay. It's here that you will tie it altogether and make your call to action. Your call to action being please choose me.

So, restate your topic and remind them why they should choose you. Your ending must be as memorable as your title and as attention grabbing as your opening.

It is 2020. Technology dominates the world. Therefore, he who owns and controls information is king. Globalization has made labor cheaper and abundant. Yet, the critical assets are inno-thinkers. They are the lifeblood of society. With the majority of engineers coming from China and India, American companies lose their innovative edge in the marketplace. Many historians point to 2008 when US engineering schools did nothing to wave off the international threat. Some hoped things would change. Yet, the future remains uncertain for engineering in America.

The Situation

As the United States marches to a different drummer, it finds there is an impending danger ahead. While globalization has become a menacing threat to some businesses, the major challenge for traditional academic institutions is to produce engineers who are intelligent, creative, and internationally savvy to handle the challenges of the 21st century. Given this premise, this article examines the current state of engineering schools in the United States and explores how institutional leaders can infuse their organizations with creativity, thereby producing innovative engineering students. How can traditional engineering schools cultivate creativity in their students? According to a survey conducted by Peter D. Hart Research Associates, 63% of American business leaders said college graduates are not prepared for the global environment. The lack of creativity by today's engineers becomes critical as more businesses look for technical workers for the future workforce.

University Challenges

Academia must overcome several potential barriers that when transforming engineering schools to centers of innovation. Currently, there are 346 universities approved by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), the national organization that sets standards for engineering schools. Although there are over 270 universities that offer mechanical engineering, there is a variety of other engineering schools available for students, such as software engineering. Fewer and fewer students are earning degrees in engineering and science. Several key factors illuminate the downturn of America's competitiveness across the globe, which are (1) several key agencies for U.S. scientific research and develop will face a retirement crisis in the near future, (2) less than 6% of high school seniors are pursuing engineering degrees, down 36% from a decade, (3) the number of China's undergraduate degrees in the hard sciences were 56% compared to 17% for the United States in 2000, and (4) in the next several years, China will likely produce six times the number of engineers in the future than the United States. In 2004, the United States graduated roughly 70,000 undergraduate engineers while other countries such as China (600,000) and India (350,000) are graduating more engineers. In 1989, the National Science Foundation warned of a shortfall in both Ph.D.s and bachelor's degrees in the natural sciences and engineering. This situation is creating a national crisis for businesses looking for innovation and creativity from the nation's finest. This trend is alarming.

Transformation of Innovation

In order to the fierce realities of globalization, engineering schools must rethink their approach of education by focusing on strategy, structure, and culture during these uncertain times. First, these schools need to shift their strategy. Many engineering schools are too rigid in its design, and lose focus. Yet, the consequences of overly emphasizing structure can be dangerous. Michael Michalko, author of Thinkertoys, argues that creativity is not an accident. Therefore, institutional leaders, such as engineering deans, must be willing to construct organizations that support creativity. Second, engineering schools should be structured to support an international component of learning. By adding a studying abroad program, engineering schools can immerse their students in culture and allow them to work in multi-cultural teams. In taking these actions, universities provide students with an additional cultural competence that is a key attribute in an increasingly global climate. Third, there is also a need for a more generalized and liberal arts form of education for engineering students to spawn creativity.

According to many business executives, the 21st century needs students who possess good communication skills, critical thinking, applied knowledge, intellectual depth, ethics, and cultural understanding. Many times engineering students lose sight of creativity and focus solely on the technical aspects of engineering. Therefore, getting broader educational experiences in such areas as business or political science is virtually impossible. Finally, the culture climate of most engineering schools needs to change if they want to survive. Today's climate for most engineering students is a sterile school environment where students are left to fend for themselves. Faculty members are viewed as unapproachable or unavailable to help with academic or personal career planning.

By contrasts, students want good faculty teaching, advisement, assessment practices, and good curriculum design in order to compete. Therefore, engineering schools must foster care and concern for students if they want to develop creativity in their schools.

A Step Forward

Twenty-first century leaders in engineering departments must address the needs of students in becoming creative if they hope to take advantage of future opportunities in hypercompetitive environments. Some people wonder if these schools can change. According to Harris Poll sponsored by the American Association of Engineering Societies and IEEE-USA, only 2% of the general public associate engineering with creativity. Therefore, an environment where innovation flourishes has to be on the top of organizational leaders' to-do lists. Deans of engineering schools, faculty members, and other institutional leaders can have an impact in constructing this type of organization in the future. The reality is a major concern to U.S. businesses that compete globally.

As this article demonstrates, today's academic institutions must change if they wish to survive the era of intense global competition. Leaders need to give careful consideration to innovative thinking about the short and long-term. U.S. engineering schools can succeed in helping American businesses compete by restructuring their organizations based on strategy, structure, and culture. Innovation is the linchpin for this success. Can engineering schools transform themselves into creative institutions? Only time will tell if they are truly successful.