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The Gender Perspective of Professional Competencies in Industrial Engineering Studies

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  • Maria Inmaculada Tazo

    (Department of Thermal Engines and Machines, Faculty of Engineering of Vitoria-Gasteiz, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain)

  • Ana Boyano

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering of Vitoria-Gasteiz, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain)

  • Unai Fernandez-Gámiz

    (Nuclear Engineering and Fluid Mechanics Department, Faculty of Engineering of Vitoria-Gasteiz, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain)

  • Amaia Calleja-Ochoa

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering of Vitoria-Gasteiz, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain)

Abstract

Sexism and gender relations in higher education require special attention and are a topic of great interest in regulations related to education. The low participation percentage of women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) studies has been identified as one of the main problems that must be resolved in order to close the gender gap that exists in the technology sector. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of professional competences on the selection of university studies according to the absence or presence of masculinization factors in those studies. Mechanical engineering competences, both generic and transversal, and competence acquisition methods, are classified into ‘care’ (feminine) or ‘provisions’ (masculine) concepts. After the competence analysis, it can be concluded that explicit engineering curricula are focused on “provisions”, which translates into a cultural perception of industrial engineering as a male profession. After a professional competence analysis in engineering studies at The University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), our study identified a relationship between the masculinization factors included in professional competences and the selection of university studies. This paper presents working actions towards the incorporation of a gender perspective into the degree in mechanical engineering at the UPV/EHU.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria Inmaculada Tazo & Ana Boyano & Unai Fernandez-Gámiz & Amaia Calleja-Ochoa, 2020. "The Gender Perspective of Professional Competencies in Industrial Engineering Studies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-16, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:7:p:2945-:d:342588
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    References listed on IDEAS

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