MODERN ENGINEERING EDUCATION IN GRAPHIC TECHNOLOGY AT UNIVERSITIES

This paper explores the cultivation aims and methods for students majoring in graphic technology at universities in the era of the Internet and Artificial Intelligence. The graphic technology major, with an engineering focus, originated from traditional printing technology. By referencing the Washington Accord— an agreement for engineering degree accreditation, this paper introduces the demands of modern engineering education. Tracing back to its traditional focus on the printing industry, the social demands for the graphic technology major have shifted to include cross-media presentation and the reproduction of graphics and images across various media, not just paper. The new social ecosystem requires talent capable of solving complex technical problems and designing innovative print-related products by applying knowledge from multiple disciplines. The development of related printing technologies and the methodologies that support the cultivation of such talent are described in this paper, including the application of printing theories in cross-media contexts, the design thinking approach, STEAM skills training, and aspects of product innovation. These analyses strengthen the related theories in printing and expand the cross-media content and design thinking components when building the cultivation system for students. When we organized activities that brought together students from different disciplinary backgrounds, aiming to enhance their STEAM skills, their enthusiasm could be observed in their designs and products. While the methods suggested in the paper are still in the conceptual stage, they are continuously being promoted and developed.