Marks and grades in current engineering education systems

Most current systems of engineering education put much emphasis on grades and marks. For many students getting a degree and obtaining high marks represent the prime goal. Acquiring top quality education is a distant second at best. The school environment, the pressure from society, and hiring practices of industry help foster this culture of marks as opposed to that of education. Here we analyze some aspects of this situation, its long term consequences, and suggest some remedies to change that trend.