The Involvement of Industry in Engineering Programmes

Professor John DickensDirector Engineering Centre for Excellence in

Teaching and Learning

Loughborough University, UK

www.engcetl.ac.uk

engCETL – Linking Industry with Education

EE2006 June 2006

Overview

Why should we involve industry, National context engCETL Activities

engCETL – Linking Industry with Education

EE2006 June 2006

Why involve industry? Provides context for students Promotes student engagement and motivation Enhances student skills development Provides work placement opportunities for students Provides academics with up to date practice

information and enhances the curriculum Provides professional development for academics Provides professional development for industry Provides industry with access to potential employees

engCETL – Linking Industry with Education

EE2006 June 2006

National Context

Dearing Report (1997) Work experience should be available to a greater

number of students

‘SET for Success’ (2002) Sir Gareth Roberts’ Reviewidentified the need for,

encouraging industrialists to spend time in universities facilitating deeper academic staff interaction with

industry

and identifying that industry involvement has the benefit of improving the attractiveness and

relevance of the course to both students and employers.

engCETL – Linking Industry with Education

EE2006 June 2006

National Context

‘The Future of Higher Education’ (2003) DfES Establishing close relationships between employers in

particular industrial sectors and the relevant faculties in institutions is critical to preparing new entrants to the workforce and to continuous professional development.

HEFCE Strategic Plan 2006-11 Employer Engagement Workplace learning Pilot Projects for employer engagement (May 2006)

engCETL – Linking Industry with Education

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National Context

Educating the Engineer of 2020 : Adapting Engineering Educationto the New Century, NAE, USA (2005) Disconnect between Academe and Industry

Educating Engineers for the 21st century, Royal Academy of Engineering, UK (2006) further ways should be found to enhance collaboration between

universities and companies to ensure the needs of companies are understood and reflected in the curriculum

Include collaboration at a low level to enhance ‘realism’ in teaching materials

engCETL – Linking Industry with Education

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The CETL Programme

HEFCE’s largest initiative for L&T (£319M)

74 CETLs

Funding period March 2005 for 5 years

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Why industry theme?

‘A strong involvement with industry and the professions through research and teaching, consultancy and training, to provide direct support for wealth creation, social advancement and cultural development.’

Identified by staff in departments

Aligned with university strategy

BackgroundStrong evidence of industrial linksEngineering Education Centre since 1997

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engCETL

7 core departments Faculty and university level links Embedded in University Teaching and Learning Strategy 13 core staff, some university funded 7 seconded academics

1. Aeronautical & Automotive Engineering2. Chemical Engineering3. Institute of Polymer Technology & Materials

Engineering4. Electronic & Electrical Engineering5. Civil & Building Engineering6. Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering7. Design & Technology

engCETL – Linking Industry with Education

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engCETL Aims

1. Academic support focus2. Student engagement focus3. Industry focus4. Curriculum/Resource development5. Pedagogical Research6. Learning spaces7. Staff development, reward and recognition8. Institutional integration9. Wider dissemination10. Management and accountability

engCETL – Linking Industry with Education

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Academic Support

Working through Seconded Academics from each department

‘it has met all my expectations in terms of the increased collaboration between departments and the opportunity to work with like minded colleagues’

‘they are committed academics who provide them with an open door, and who get actively involved in championing engCETL and teaching and learning in their departments’

Dedicated CETL staff member to support them

Resource development, enhanced teaching space, studentships, capital funds.

engCETL – Linking Industry with Education

EE2006 June 2006

Student Focus

Students on Advisory Board Recent graduates to chair advisory Board Student presentations to senior management Student focus groups Employing students to produce case studies

Formula student Reflections on and evaluation of the student

experience Links to student groups in other CETLs

engCETL – Linking Industry with Education

EE2006 June 2006

Industry Focus

Industry membership on the advisory Board Working with existing industry sponsors and

advisory panels in departments CETL Industrial Liaison Officer charged with

developing new contacts for teaching. Web pages, leaflets, targeted mail shots, telephone

contacts Improved documentation to improve continuity of contacts

between department and industry and within the company

engCETL – Linking Industry with Education

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Industry Focus

Need more industry supervised projects forStudents on the MSc in Renewable Energy Creating web based material on what is required from

industry and case studies of past projects

Workshop for new contacts and existing collaborators to share experiences and Issues

Edited video of workshop to form part of the information available to future contacts

engCETL – Linking Industry with Education

EE2006 June 2006

Curriculum/Resource Development (CRD)

Continues the work of the eec Co-tutor Web PA Online learning resources

Example: further developments of Web PA for Mechanical Engineering TCS Student perception of peer assessment Students setting assessment criteria Students reflecting on formative peer feedback Discussion Boards accessible to industry tutor

engCETL – Linking Industry with Education

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CRD -Teaching Contract Scheme (TCS)

Partnership with 15 of companies Small teams of students (years 2 & 4) conduct

research and design projects supplied and supported by the company

MEng finalists mentor the year 2 student groups CETL Industrial Liaison Officer working to engage

additional companies plus the webPA upgrade

engCETL – Linking Industry with Education

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CRD - Transfer of Practice

Civil Engineering teamwork & leadershipmodule sponsored by industry Behaviour of individuals & teams Needs of task, team, individual Leadership styles & skills Motivation (& de-motivation!) 4 day Outdoor Management Course

engCETL – Linking Industry with Education

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Teamwork & Leadership transfer

Joint module run with Mechanical Engineering Students Comparative study with other types of delivery CETL funding to set up the transfer CETL staff evaluating the activity

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Pedagogic Research

Co-ordinated approach at faculty level External consultant Research and evaluation of all major activities PedR 2-day workshop run with the engineering subject

centre Current Phd projects

The impact on Work Placements on the Development of Transferable Skills in Engineering

The impact of industrial sponsorship on students, academia and industry

Appraising the Benefits of Project-Based Learning in Engineering Design

engCETL – Linking Industry with Education

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Industrial Placements

Research on skills development on placements

Web based management system for students, academics & industry

Building more industrial contacts for placements e.g Chemical Engineering Students in the food processing industry

Transfer of practice between departments

Credits for work based learning?

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Student focussed learning spaceSpecified by the staffwho teach designA 50-70 seat studioFour 16 seat studios

Informal use by students

Test bed for AV and learning technology

Simulates commercialenvironment

engCETL – Linking Industry with Education

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Reward and Integration

CETL funds for reward integrated with university Academic Practice awards – e.g Mechanical/ Business

School Web PA Mini projects Teaching Prize Lump Sums

Faculty funding of 3 core staff (eec model)

University funding for additional Research Associate to transfer practice

CETL embedded in University L&T strategy

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Dissemination

Web www.engcetl.ac.uk for information & contacts

HE Academy Engineering subject centre, workshops, case studies

East Midlands CETL Network

Published research findings

Funding for visiting academics

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EE2006 June 2006

Conclusions

Involve industry in degree programmes to develop student skills

Employer engagement high on the political agenda

Importance of developing strong 3-way links between students, industry, and academics

Need for research to establish sustainable models of practice

Change Strategies needed

www.engcetl.ac.uk