The Engineering Workforce Commission reports that the number of bachelor's degrees in engineering dropped 16 percent, from 77,892 in 1985 to 65,091 in 1997. According to conference planners, participants will go beyond the current emphasis on retention in the undergraduate curriculum to investigate the retention of women in engineering as a continuum from the undergraduate level to employment in industry and on university faculties. The results of their deliberations will be used to formulate and put into place changes, working partnerships and workplace and educational initiatives. The conference is scheduled to be held at the Club Tremblant, near Montreal, Canada. Conferees will present research findings, present and compare best practices, study current trends and solutions, develop and put into place new strategies and collaborations, and set a research agenda.
Reporters are welcome to attend the conference.