Project Management of Global Project-based Learning Course for Innovation and Sustainable Development

Abstract

Since 2013, we have been implementing a global project-based learning (PBL) course of our own design. The global PBL course is an engineering education project for fostering innovation and global-mindedness among engineers and scientists. The course is multidisciplinary and multinational, involving industry-academia collaboration in project-focused learning. Project themes are related to sustainable development goals and real-world industry problems. Global PBL programs include two project types: faculty projects and student projects. To implement the global PBL program, the faculty must perform certain project activities such as designing an educational program to improve the international learning environment while implementing, controlling, and continuously improving educational activities. Project deliverables and activities are organized as a work breakdown structure (WBS) prior to the commencement of the project. This process involves defining faculty member roles, preparing a schedule for the preparation phase, and implementing the global PBL program. The faculty plans, executes, monitors, and controls the project. At the end of each year's global PBL course, the Keep-Problem-Try (KPT) method is used to implement continuous improvement of the course. At the end of the course, the faculty describes the KPTs in line with the WBS items. The KPTs are then collected and shared among the faculty, leading to continuous improvement.