On Tuesday, March 30, 2021, the Faculty of Engineering at Al Maaref University held a virtual seminar entitled: “The Struggle Creating New Technology: Electric Steering as an Example", presented by TRW technical specialist in the fields of dynamic and controls, Eng. Kevin McLaughlin from the USA. The seminar was presented via GoToWebinar application, in the presence of students, invited guests and faculty instructors.

Eng. McLaughlin addressed the following problematic question at the beginning of his talk: "Does the Faculty of Engineering provide us with tools for innovation?" He also mentioned the importance of technology development not only at EPS system, but also at EPS subsystems

Eng. McLaughlin noted that for electric steering subsystem development meant the development of electric motor technology, contactless angle and torque sensors, safety critical system development, rare earth magnets (and mining), requirement definition methodology, marketing and sales, along with the application of many engineering disciplines.

Mr. McLaughlin said during the symposium that a successful technology requires three important elements:
1) The benefits of the new technology,
2) The improvement of subsystem technologies,
3) The assurance that there are engineering methods / tools to improve the subsystems.

The lecturer concluded his speech with the question: "Can innovation be taught as part of the engineering curriculum?" Mr. McLaughlin pointed out that the biggest gap in his university education was learning how to define a problem.