Successful Programs That Have Been Enriched By Industry And Engineering Education Connections

Presented in this paper is a treatise of real methods, goals and accomplishments that have been achieved through liaison work between industry and engineering education at the Oregon Institute of Technology. This project shows clearly the role of industry and how mutual benefits can be continually achieved for both the industries involved and the engineering educational community. The project highlights include: • Discussions on the OIT satellite campus at Boeing • The many positive benefits of an Industry Advisory Board • Discussions of how to develop industrial connections and relationships • Illustrations of how to integrate and streamline the process of articulation work at the community colleges and making connections with local industries • Examples of how to achieve maximal success from industry input on curriculum development, program improvement and laboratory enhancement • Illustrations of how to develop internships with industry partners • Deliberations on how industry can help to accelerate the global connection for engineering education • Real world cases of the positive improvements for industry, educational institutions and communities that result from collaboration between industry and engineering education Presented in this paper are actual experiences and examples of how a technical institution and faculty have mutually benefited, with industrial partners from ongoing relationships and programs that have successfully worked to improve the quality and direction of technology today. This project shows how students benefit from improving the general pool of engineering knowledge and providing better tools to compete in the global market place. Hands-on business experience and skills are imparted by mentoring relationships and students are networked earlier forging stronger foundations for their careers. This model can also be adapted at other institutions that are willing to reach out and think globally.