Global engineering teams - a programme promoting teamwork in engineering design and manufacturing

Date
2011
Authors
Oladirana M.T.
Uziaka J.
Eisenbergb M.
Schefferc C.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Engineering graduates are expected to possess various competencies categorised into hard and soft skills. The hard skills are acquired through specific coursework, but the soft skills are often treated perfunctorily. Global Engineering Teams (GET) is a programme that promotes project-oriented tasks in virtual student teams working in collaboration with industry partners. Teamwork is a major success factor for GET as students always work in groups of varying sizes.A questionnaire-based survey of the 2008 cohort of GET studentswas conducted to assess teamwork, communication and conflict resolution among group members. The results confirmed that deliverables are readily achieved in teams and communication was open. A challenge of using virtual teams is the availability of high-speed Internet access.TheGETprogramme shows that it is possible to deliver engineering design and manufacturing via industry/university collaboration. The programme also facilitates multidisciplinary teamwork at an international level. © 2011 SEFI.
Description
Keywords
Global teams, Teamwork, University-industry linkage
Citation
European Journal of Engineering Education
36
2
http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-79958799620&partnerID=40&md5=232bda340cc45af1d4905db4ffa9cf2f
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/16867
Collections
Stellenbosch University - Scopus Publications