An Educational Needs Analysis in Military Aerospace and Aviation: A Prospect for 2025 (A Case Study at Shahid Sattari Air Force University)

In the light of the upcoming third millennium, increasing developments in the field of science and technology, and the strategic planning by the Islamic Republic of Iran for prospective developments by 2025, conducting educational needs analysis specially those of aerospace and aviation seems inevitable as to meeting the objectives specially those set in defense sector. As an attempt in this line, this exploratory-qualitative research was designed to follow four minor objectives including: 1. Evaluation of the industry to meet the operational needs, 2. Investigation of required changes in the respective structure and teaching methods, 3. Setting educational priorities and objectives, and 4. Identification of effective parameters and technologies in air defense. The respective literature review and consultation with experts showed the following variables highly determining: 1) Macro documents for the mission of the air force, 2) Emerging technologies, 4) National aerospace industry and 5) Aviation and aerospace training. Then the conceptual model was developed based on which delfi group composed of 11 elites answered an open-ended questionnaire followed by answering another 107-item. The procedure was ended following answering a third question which altogether resulte4d in identifying the respective needs.