Factors Influencing the Professional Competencies of Engineering Students: A Prospective Continuous Improvement Approach.

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Title: Factors Influencing the Professional Competencies of Engineering Students: A Prospective Continuous Improvement Approach.
Authors: Vega García, Karina1 karina.vegagrc@uanl.edu.mx, García Rebolloso, Martha Elia2 martha.garciab@uanl.edu.mx, Guerrero Villegas, Juan Diego2 jguerrerov@uanl.edu.mx
Source: International Journal of Instruction. Jul2026, Vol. 19 Issue 3, p17-36. 20p.
Subject Terms: *Engineering education, *Higher education, *Psychology of students, *Effective teaching, *Evaluation methodology, *School environment, Professional competence, Continuous improvement process
Abstract: This research aimed to predict the level of professional competencies using key elements of the educational process, such as teacher performance, the school climate, and evaluation methods. The study was developed from the perspective of students enrolled in the Facultad de Ingeniería Mecánica y Eléctrica of the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, recognizing that their perceptions offer valuable insight into how academic practices influence competency development. To conduct the analysis, a quantitative approach with a correlational predictive design was applied, and multiple regression techniques were used on a sample of 332 students from different semesters and academic programs. The results showed that the educational elements examined were statistically significant predictors of the level of professional competencies, collectively explaining 73% of the variance. These findings underscore the critical role that instructional quality, institutional environment, and assessment practices play in shaping the professional readiness of engineering students. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the need for continuous improvement strategies in higher education, particularly those aimed at strengthening teaching methodologies, promoting a positive and collaborative school climate, and implementing fair and meaningful evaluation processes. Overall, the evidence suggests that enhancing these components can contribute substantially to the formation of highly competent engineering professionals prepared to meet current and emerging demands in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of International Journal of Instruction is the property of International Journal of Instruction and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Education Research Complete
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  Data: Factors Influencing the Professional Competencies of Engineering Students: A Prospective Continuous Improvement Approach.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Vega+García%2C+Karina%22">Vega García, Karina</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><i> karina.vegagrc@uanl.edu.mx</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22García+Rebolloso%2C+Martha+Elia%22">García Rebolloso, Martha Elia</searchLink><relatesTo>2</relatesTo><i> martha.garciab@uanl.edu.mx</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Guerrero+Villegas%2C+Juan+Diego%22">Guerrero Villegas, Juan Diego</searchLink><relatesTo>2</relatesTo><i> jguerrerov@uanl.edu.mx</i>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22International+Journal+of+Instruction%22">International Journal of Instruction</searchLink>. Jul2026, Vol. 19 Issue 3, p17-36. 20p.
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  Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Engineering+education%22">Engineering education</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Higher+education%22">Higher education</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Psychology+of+students%22">Psychology of students</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Effective+teaching%22">Effective teaching</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Evaluation+methodology%22">Evaluation methodology</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22School+environment%22">School environment</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Professional+competence%22">Professional competence</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Continuous+improvement+process%22">Continuous improvement process</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: This research aimed to predict the level of professional competencies using key elements of the educational process, such as teacher performance, the school climate, and evaluation methods. The study was developed from the perspective of students enrolled in the Facultad de Ingeniería Mecánica y Eléctrica of the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, recognizing that their perceptions offer valuable insight into how academic practices influence competency development. To conduct the analysis, a quantitative approach with a correlational predictive design was applied, and multiple regression techniques were used on a sample of 332 students from different semesters and academic programs. The results showed that the educational elements examined were statistically significant predictors of the level of professional competencies, collectively explaining 73% of the variance. These findings underscore the critical role that instructional quality, institutional environment, and assessment practices play in shaping the professional readiness of engineering students. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the need for continuous improvement strategies in higher education, particularly those aimed at strengthening teaching methodologies, promoting a positive and collaborative school climate, and implementing fair and meaningful evaluation processes. Overall, the evidence suggests that enhancing these components can contribute substantially to the formation of highly competent engineering professionals prepared to meet current and emerging demands in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
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  Data: <i>Copyright of International Journal of Instruction is the property of International Journal of Instruction and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
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    Identifiers:
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        Value: 10.29333/iji.2026.1932a
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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        PageCount: 20
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      – SubjectFull: Engineering education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Higher education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Psychology of students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Effective teaching
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Evaluation methodology
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      – SubjectFull: School environment
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      – SubjectFull: Professional competence
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      – SubjectFull: Continuous improvement process
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      – TitleFull: Factors Influencing the Professional Competencies of Engineering Students: A Prospective Continuous Improvement Approach.
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            NameFull: Vega García, Karina
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            NameFull: García Rebolloso, Martha Elia
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            NameFull: Guerrero Villegas, Juan Diego
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              M: 07
              Text: Jul2026
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              Y: 2026
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