The Involvement of Industry in Engineering Programmes Professor John Dickens Director Engineering Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning Loughborough University, UK

EE2006 June 2006 engCETL – Linking Industry with Education Overview Why should we involve industry, National context engCETL Activities

EE2006 June 2006 engCETL – Linking Industry with Education 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

EE2006 June 2006 engCETL – Linking Industry with Education National Context Dearing Report (1997) Work experience should be available to a greater number of students SET for Success (2002) Sir Gareth Roberts Review identified 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.

EE2006 June 2006 engCETL – Linking Industry with Education 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 Employer Engagement Workplace learning Pilot Projects for employer engagement (May 2006)

EE2006 June 2006 engCETL – Linking Industry with Education National Context Educating the Engineer of 2020 : Adapting Engineering Education to the New Century, NAE, USA (2005) Disconnect between Academe and Industry Educating Engineers for the 21 st 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

EE2006 June 2006 engCETL – Linking Industry with Education The CETL Programme HEFCEs largest initiative for L&T (£319M) 74 CETLs Funding period March 2005 for 5 years

EE2006 June 2006 engCETL – Linking Industry with Education 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 Background Strong evidence of industrial links Engineering Education Centre since 1997

EE2006 June 2006 engCETL – Linking Industry with Education 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 Engineering 2. Chemical Engineering 3. Institute of Polymer Technology & Materials Engineering 4. Electronic & Electrical Engineering 5. Civil & Building Engineering 6. Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering 7. Design & Technology

EE2006 June 2006 engCETL – Linking Industry with Education engCETL Aims 1. Academic support focus 2. Student engagement focus 3. Industry focus 4. Curriculum/Resource development 5. Pedagogical Research 6. Learning spaces 7. Staff development, reward and recognition 8. Institutional integration 9. Wider dissemination 10. Management and accountability

EE2006 June 2006 engCETL – Linking Industry with Education 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.

EE2006 June 2006 engCETL – Linking Industry with Education 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

EE2006 June 2006 engCETL – Linking Industry with Education 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

EE2006 June 2006 engCETL – Linking Industry with Education Industry Focus Need more industry supervised projects for Students 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

EE2006 June 2006 engCETL – Linking Industry with Education 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

EE2006 June 2006 engCETL – Linking Industry with Education 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

EE2006 June 2006 engCETL – Linking Industry with Education CRD - Transfer of Practice Civil Engineering teamwork & leadership module sponsored by industry Behaviour of individuals & teams Needs of task, team, individual Leadership styles & skills Motivation (& de-motivation!) 4 day Outdoor Management Course

EE2006 June 2006 engCETL – Linking Industry with Education 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

EE2006 June 2006 engCETL – Linking Industry with Education 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

EE2006 June 2006 engCETL – Linking Industry with Education 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?

EE2006 June 2006 engCETL – Linking Industry with Education Student focussed learning space Specified by the staff who teach design A seat studio Four 16 seat studios Informal use by students Test bed for AV and learning technology Simulates commercial environment

EE2006 June 2006 engCETL – Linking Industry with Education 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

EE2006 June 2006 engCETL – Linking Industry with Education Dissemination Web for information & contactswww.engcetl.ac.uk HE Academy Engineering subject centre, workshops, case studies East Midlands CETL Network Published research findings Funding for visiting academics

EE2006 June 2006 engCETL – Linking Industry with Education 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