New insights from the cutting edge

The paper explores some lessons for third-level electronic engineering education based on the experience of an engineer who has migrated from electrical and electronic engineering into telecommunications. An introduction in telecommunications began in Queens University of Belfast B.Eng studies. A PhD course in the Optoelectronics Department of Strathclyde University followed investigating novel methods of equalising the output of erbium-doped fibre devices. The experience and technical knowledge gained helped obtain employment at Kymata Limited working in R&D. This career path may be typical of a new generation of electronics engineers. The first part of the paper explores the limitations and advantages of professional development outside of a planned educational programme in telecommunications. The second part of the paper describes the excellent optics R&D development base of Scottish Universities that offer a model perhaps for Ireland and the rest of the world. In this competitive age the time taken to bring a device to production specifications can be critical to the on-going survival of small companies. The paper ends by attempting to tie together a number of strands in an overview that may help develop the ongoing debate into the evolution of electronic engineering in third level education.