This study explores the challenges of teaching Requirements Engineering (RE) in Swiss higher education, addressing whether issues identified in the literature—such as the gap between theory and practice and limited opportunities for hands-on learning—persist in this context. Through interviews with 25 educators responsible for 33 RE-related courses, the research highlights key challenges, including students’ difficulties with abstraction, modeling, and soft skills. Educators employ instructional approaches like project-based and case-based learning, role-play, and flipped classroom methods to provide practical experiences and bridge the gap between academic learning and industry needs. However, resource constraints, large class sizes, and curriculum limitations continue to hinder the implementation of innovative approaches. Emerging challenges, such as integrating AI technologies into RE curricula, highlight the need for curriculum adjustments to reflect evolving industry trends. This research provides a comprehensive view of the RE education (REE) landscape in Switzerland and lays the foundation for future studies to address persistent and emerging challenges in REE.

Background
- Diploma in Librarianship (University of Applied Sciences Stuttgart, Germany)
- Master of Science in Information Engineering (University of Constance, Germany)
- Requirements Engineer & Project Manager (Financial Industry, Switzerland)

Current positions
- Lecturer Requirements Engineering (University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons & University of Applied Sciences of Eastern Switzerland)
- Phd student at Doctoral School of Education, University of Szeged, Hungary (since 09/2022)