Industrial Projects in a Project-Based Learning Environment

Abstract

Industry is progressively moving at a faster pace with complicated problems and projects that require increasingly rapid turn-around. Newly graduated engineers are often required to work on projects having, in many cases, poorly defined scope, constraints and outcomes. In addition to their technical knowledge, employers expect enhanced communication, entrepreneurial and managerial skills.Project-based learning (PBL) enhances engineering education, providing students with a setting that closely simulates their post-graduation work environment. The addition of projects into the engineering curriculum creates avenues towards improving communication, individual growth, life-long learning and team-work; skills that industry desires. The key has always been to present students with problems and projects that are as open-ended and realistic as possible, creating situations that closely resemble those encountered in industrial settings, such as: project requirements that are not well structured, changes to project scope and timelines and the need to address a customer’s changing needs or expectations.The addition of a real project in cooperation with an industry partner may be the ultimate method of achieving these goals. The development and management of the project is complex involving students, faculty, and the industry partner, but generates tangible advantages for all three parties. This paper will discuss the many benefits and challenges of incorporating a real industrial project into the educational environment.