INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING CURRICULUM IN INDUSTRY 4.0 IN A SOUTH AFRICAN CONTEXT

Authors

  • Samuel Mensah Sackey Cape Peninsula University of Technology
  • Andre Bester Cape Peninsula University of Technology

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7166/27-4-1579

Keywords:

Industry 4.0, Impact, Industrial Engineering, Curriculum, South Africa

Abstract

With its potential to change significantly the knowledge and skill-set requirements for industrial engineers (IEs), Industry 4.0 creates a need to reassess the place of IEs to avoid a greater shock than that caused by the information technology identity crisis of the 1990s. This article examines the likely impacts of Industry 4.0 on industrial engineering (IE) and proposes enhancements to IE curricula in South Africa. Research methods include a literature review, a study of IE curricula, and a questionnaire survey of IE programmes. Results indicate that several IE functions might become somewhat transformed, less visible, or downright diminished in Industry 4.0. Emphasis has shifted from traditional IE methods to data-driven functions and cyber-physical systems. The developing mismatch needs correcting by emphasising skills such as ‘big data’ analytics and novel human-machine interfaces in IE curricula. Only one university in South Africa has made progress towards the adoption of an Industry 4.0 infrastructure. The authors propose a set of curriculum enrichment items as the basis for reform.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Samuel Mensah Sackey, Cape Peninsula University of Technology

Visiting Researcher,

Department of Industrial Engineering

Faculty of engineering

Andre Bester, Cape Peninsula University of Technology

Head of  Industrial Engineering Department 

Faculty of engineering

Downloads

Published

2016-12-06

How to Cite

Sackey, S. M., & Bester, A. (2016). INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING CURRICULUM IN INDUSTRY 4.0 IN A SOUTH AFRICAN CONTEXT. The South African Journal of Industrial Engineering, 27(4), 101–114. https://doi.org/10.7166/27-4-1579

Issue

Section

General Articles