Enhancing learning experience by collaborative industrial projects

This paper presents how collaborative industrial project are embedded into engineering curriculum at two departments: School of Science and the School of Engineering, at RMIT University, Australia. We introduce general structure of the industrial projects as Work Integrated Learning (WIL) modules, as well as provide a number of examples of recently completed projects. Industrial summer projects, which were running in the years 2015/16 in collaboration with ANZ, ABB, Alfred Hospital, etc., were pipelined with final year projects from the School of Engineering as well as with the Software Engineering Projects (Bachelor and Master level) from the School of Science. The goal of these projects was to enable continuity of activities as per industry requirements and enhance learning experience, as well as, employability of the students. All the projects were successfully completed, also receiving positive feedback from industry partners. Some of the projects led to student's employment within the companies that have sponsored the projects. With this approach, Future Designers Grant from the Department of State Development, Business and Innovation, Victoria, was efficiently implemented and a new product developed. After receiving Bosch Venture Forum Award in Germany, in June 2015 industry collaboration has extended to new partner, School of Science and activities continued over the summer. New design is implanted as well as large number of improvements.