Abstract: “Emerging engineering education” serves as a critical driver for the connotative development of higher engineering education in China. Addressing the practical challenge of the insufficient engineering nature in cultivating outstanding engineers, the theory of tacit knowing based on the turn of epistemology focuses on the tacit synergy ability of “individual participation”. According to the characteristics of “personality, embodiment, sociality, innovation, and responsibility”, the “participation” concept of the training mode of innovative talents in “emerging engineering education” is put forward, that is, the existence mode of “individual's reflexive and embodied engagement in interaction.” The concept of “participation” emphasizes the existence of personal knowledge, the innovative experience in the situation and the involvement of reflexive communication. Its significance lies in enabling the paradigm transformation of “emerging engineering education” excellent engineer training towards “practicality, humanity and compound”, and helping the rise of human beings and the sustainable development of engineering education.

Key words: emerging engineering education; cultivation of outstanding engineers; epistemology; tacit knowing