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Editorial
As is typical at the end of every summer, we are beginning a new academic year. On one hand, we continue to face the persistent challenge of a shortage of students interested in pursuing careers in Electrical and Computer Engineering, and those who do enroll often lack the expected motivation. On the other hand, there seems to be a slight improvement in the average academic performance, as measured by grades, of students applying for these bachelor’s degrees. Unfortunately, it remains unclear whether this apparent improvement reflects a renewed interest in these technical fields, or is simply the result of higher average scores obtained in the exams required for university admission.
Regardless of whether this is the tentative start of a promising trend or simply the misleading result of an outlier, one growing concern is gaining widespread attention: the evolving outlook young generations have on their future professional careers. Indeed, there is an increasing perception that even the students we once considered top performers now exhibit a degree of apathy or disinterest in their professional futures—attitudes we previously associated only with lower-ranked students. As seen from our own eyes, they seem to be lost, but they do not show any distress.
I must admit, I am unsure whether this perception is entirely accurate or not. But I do not doubt its importance, since, if it is true, then we, as professors, must prepare ourselves and adapt to the mindset of this new generation— and we must do so swiftly, as the road ahead will undoubtedly be long and challenging.
José Carlos Pedro
(IT President)
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