The SEFI Handbook on Teaching Transferable Competencies and Skills in Engineering is officially launched

9 September 2026, Prague

We are pleased to announce the publication of the SEFI Handbook on Teaching Transferable Competencies and Skills in Engineering on the occasion of the SEFI 2026 Annual Conference at the Czech Technical University in Prague. This major new open-access resource has been developed by members of the SEFI Special Interest Group (SIG) on Engineering Skills, together with many other contributors from across the SEFI community.

The handbook is the result of a shared vision among engineering educators, researchers, and curriculum developers committed to advancing the teaching and assessment of transferable competencies and skills. These competencies, which include communication, teamwork, critical thinking, self-reflection, leadership, ethics, creativity, and adaptability, are increasingly recognised as essential for engineering graduates to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

The publication reflects the values of openness, collaboration, and community that underpin both SEFI and the Engineering Skills SIG. Every chapter underwent a rigorous peer-review process, and all authors, reviewers, and editors contributed their time and expertise on a voluntary basis. In line with a commitment to open science, the handbook has been published by TU Delft Open Publishing under a CC BY licence, ensuring free access for educators, researchers, and institutions worldwide.

The lead editors Gillian Saunders-Smits, TU Delft, the Netherlands, Lynn Van den Broeck, KU Leuven, Belgium and Thies Johannsen, TU Berlin, Germany, emphasise that the handbook is much more than a publication. It is the outcome of nearly three years of international collaboration and a shared belief that transferable competencies and skills are fundamental to preparing engineers to address complex societal challenges and contribute to a sustainable future.

SEFI warmly thanks the editors, authors, reviewers, and supporters who made this landmark publication possible and invites engineering educators around the world to explore, use, and share this valuable new resource.

The SEFI Handbook on Teaching Transferable Competencies and Skills in Engineering is available free of charge through TU Delft Open Publishing.

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