Integrating Electromagnetic Compatibility Studies into Multidisciplinary Engineering Curricula: A Critical Need for Modern Education

Abstract

India's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, along with a global shift toward sustainable development and international cooperation, is reshaping the landscape of engineering education. To prepare students for the complex world they will enter, curricula must evolve to address both technical advancements and societal needs. One critical area that deserves immediate attention is Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)—a fundamental aspect in designing reliable and resilient electrical and electronic systems that impact our daily lives. As devices become more compact and high-frequency, and as technologies such as wireless communication and high-speed data transfer become integral to everyday experiences, the challenges of Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) and EMC become personal and universal. Yet, despite their clear industrial relevance, EMC topics are rarely given center stage in undergraduate engineering programs. This paper makes a case for weaving EMC concepts throughout undergraduate Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE) and related technology courses, in keeping with the vision of NEP2020.  EMC knowledge is not just about meeting regulatory standards like CISPR, FCC, and IEC—it’s about ensuring that the technology we depend on functions reliably and safely. This paper explores how EMC can be brought to life through interdisciplinary teaching, hands-on projects, and the creation of a dedicated course accessible even to non-EE majors. By sharing real-world examples and lessons from project-based learning, we hope to inspire a more human-centered, practical, and future-ready approach to engineering education.