Integrating T-Shaped Competency Models in Interdisciplinary Aviation and Engineering Education

Abstract

As rapid technological change disrupts the engineering workforce, engineering education must move beyond traditional discipline-siloed instruction toward models that cultivate both specialization and adaptability. This study examines how a T-shaped competency framework, combining deep technical expertise with broad interdisciplinary skills, can be integrated into engineering curricula as an alternative to conventional single-domain teaching approaches. Through a curriculum case study focused on electric propulsion and drone-based instruction in an online environment, we illustrate how simulation tools, CAD platforms, programming, and embedded systems can simultaneously foster vertical depth and horizontal breadth. Drones serve as integrative teaching platforms that merge mechanical, electrical, and computational principles, enabling students to develop cross-functional competencies not typically emphasized in traditional curricula. Rather than a controlled comparison, the study demonstrates how the T-shaped model can enhance curricular agility and student preparedness for technological disruption. The findings suggest that embedding interdisciplinary, technology-rich learning experiences within a T-shaped framework may better equip engineering graduates to adapt to evolving workforce demands than conventional discipline-centric models.