THE ART IN ENGINEERING

Traditionally, engineering education teaches natural principles and technical procedures in order to yield reliable, predictable results. It is a highly cognitive activity. However, computer based technologies are reducing the need for engineers� routine work on welldefined tasks and are shifting focus to creating completely new products and services and novel solutions for �unsolvable� challenges. To utilize full potential of their creativity engineers need to learn how to think outside of the box, break rules, release fear of mistakes, discover joy in experimentation and also to better understand their customers, users. These traits are nurtured in artistic education and thus the question arises whether engineers would benefit from inclusion of art in their education. The existing research on this topic gives positive answers. However, in order to modernize curricula, besides changes in space, equipment, and financing, attitudes of teachers and students are important. In this paper the results of a brief, initial survey among 600+ students at the University if Zagreb�s Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing are presented indicating that Generation Z freshmen and seniors are inclined to accept some art education in their curriculum.