The Design of a Problem-Based Learning Platform for Engineering Education

Engineering higher education is in need of modernization of practices towards linking student skills to labour market needs. The challenge for engineering schools is to develop well rounded professionals who are able to transfer the knowledge and skills developed through academic initiatives to real world professional practices upon transitioning to the world of work. As engineering professionals, they will need a sound theoretical background and practical skills. In addition, they will need transversal competencies demanded by industry, including analytical thinking, entrepreneurial mind sets, collaboration skills in multicultural environments, leadership skills, and others. Active learning as a pedagogical approach contributes to the capacity of students to apply newly developed knowledge in the field by exposing them to problems, projects, or other activities in which they are challenged to introduce solutions in a hands-on manner. This work presents an active learning framework that promotes more direct student engagement in learning. The solution involves physical labs as well as a digital service that promotes access to rich educational content, collaboration, and know-how exchange. The solution is being designed by a network of European and South Asian universities integrating needs from diverse cultural, economic, and educational environments.