A design thinking approach to develop entrepreneurial skills in the field of Mechatronics Engineering

Abstract

Abstract— This paper discusses the utilization of design thinking process in the entrepreneurship classes, which involves problemsolving approach, creative thinking and procedural steps to solve the problems. The entrepreneurship training classes facilitate the students to address the real-world problem through the real-world skill development activities. Entrepreneurship education leads the students to develop projects with the outcome as societal beneficial product or service. The students’ expertise after attending the class will be incredibly useful for resolving the problems which need an immediate focus like Covid-19 and post pandemic situation. The case study discussed in this paper describes the growth of an engineering student into a technopreneur, who uses design thinking to solve the societal problems. This case study comprises the framework as follows: The first framework is based on Outcome Based Education (OBE) and Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) for Batch 1 and 2, and the second framework with Batch 3 on Conceive Design Implement (CDIO) and Operate framework. According to the findings, students of Batch 3 outperformed than the students of Batch 1 and 2 in applying higher order thinking abilities to turn a prototype into a working business model. As a result, the CDIO framework is ideally suited to the development of engineering abilities into the entrepreneurial opportunities. Keywords— CNC machine, Design thinking, Technopreneur, societal problem.