Examples of WIL Projects in Collaboration with the Aerospace and Automotive Industry

Other conference contribution, 2004

This paper focuses on three examples concerning work-integrated learning projects within the mechanical engineering department at the University of Trollhättan/Uddevalla (HTU). The projects are example of cooperation between the university and the aerospace and automotive industry. The overall aim of the projects is to provide the participants with an opportunity to acquire, apply and integrate such knowledge that is central for an engineer in today's manufacturing industry; project management, creative concept generation, virtual product development, computer-aided design and manufacturing. Other dimensions besides the technical knowledge were introduced such as communication skills and knowledge about the conditions in industrial work (compare Lave and Wenger 1991). Teaching within the project courses was a mix of guest lectures by external and internal experts, team collaboration and individual work. Internally the projects were founded on collaboration across subject boundaries within the university. Saab Automobile and Volvo Aero have significant collaboration with HTU in research and education within the field of manufacturing and engineering technology. Examples include cooperative education (Co-op) and several running research projects. Specific attention is given to collaboration models with these companies.