The importance of innovation and leadership education in civil engineering discipline

Abstract

The term, ‘innovation’ is derived from the Latin term, ‘innovatus’. The term is defined in several sources as the adoption of new techniques and methods. In an administrative approach, it represents the adoption or development of new methods. Rogers and Shoemaker (1971) have identified the components of innovation with an equation: Innovation = Theoretic Concept + Technical Advancement + Commercial Expansion. Considering the civil engineering education in Turkey under current conditions, we can see that the leadership skills of the engineers who undertake the management of innovative projects which are increasing in demand in the recent years are limited due to theoretic and numerical education provided by the engineering department. It is important to take immediate steps to develop such skills and to keep up with the innovative approach of our era. This study involves recommendations for the ways these skills may be included in the curriculum of the civil engineering discipline and for the measures to be taken accordingly.