Introducing Problem Based Learning (PBL) in Textile Engineering Education and Assessing its Influence on Six Sigma Project Implementation

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to explore the methodology that has adopted to implement PBL in textile engineering education at “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu (LBUS) which also highlights its potential influence on Six Sigma projects that has implemented in a textile manufacturing industry. The function of both PBL and Six Sigma approaches is to solve the problems by executing projects in a systematic way. Structurally, they are quite similar in nature. Many academic institutes around the world are currently introducing PBL to enhance the quality of higher education. On the other hand manufacturing units are trying to shorten their Six Sigma project duration, but interconnection between both issues is not always evident or addressed. Therefore, this study contributes to effective utilization of PBL in implementing Six Sigma projects. In this paper, at first PBL has been introduced in the textile engineering education through a collaborative project with a textile factory, where Six Sigma projects have also been executed simultaneously. The PBL team has contributed to the Six Sigma project team to solve the problem in factory premises. Finally, the students’ performance and the contributing effect of PBL activities to Six Sigma project have been assessed by conducting quantitative survey method containing structured questionnaires. The survey results revealed that the students’ performance has been upgraded through PBL activities. The PBL also showed a positive impact on executing Six Sigma project successfully and able to shorten the project duration. This paper has pointed out the necessity of introducing PBL to enhance the quality of textile engineering education as well as unifying PBL with Six Sigma approach for effective project execution within the Organization.