ABSTRACT
Engaged learning is a transformational, multidisciplinary learning approach that develops an individuals’ purpose, values, feelings and meaning. Students benefit because of the self-regulatory nature of engaged learning and because they have the opportunity to design their own learning outcomes based on their existing knowledge. This creates passion for future lifelong learning and provides students and lecturers with opportunities to solve problems creatively. Higher education institutions, as social structures, need to change from being traditional ‘expert knowledge providers’ to engaged cocreators of knowledge in which all stakeholders become coresearchers, managers and implementers. Engaged learning operationalises the interests and insights into various stakeholders so as to design and innovate engineering processes. In building relationships with various stakeholders, engineers not only develop creative solutions but also contribute to the solution of social issues identified by active stakeholders. Engaged engineering students need to be actively aware of a problem or issue, the context in which it persists and the various dimensions that influence that problem or issue. Engaged engineering students are given authentic learning experiences, enabling them to solve real-life problems in, and with, society.
