Problem Based Learning - Linking Students and Industry: A case Study from Aalborg, Denmark

WG2_G4 Problem based learning – linking students and industry: a case study from Aalborg, Denmark Flemming K. Flink ELITE Aalborg University In Aalborg University, Denmark, all study programmes are organised around inter-disciplinary project work in groups. Up to 50% of the study work is problem-oriented project work: students work in teams to solve externally defined problem areas in co-operation with businesses, organisations and public institutions. Project Organised Problem Based Learning (POPBL) has generated a high degree of cooperation with the society and private companies. There are all the time 2000 to 3000 ongoing projects. With several thousand projects undertaken every year, the university is highly engaged with the surrounding society. Developed in the 1970s, the Aalborg model is based on a win-win principle: it provides students with transferable skills and authentic experience in working life; enterprises with a clear idea of what the university stands for and how the future graduates might fit in as prospective employees; and the university with feedback and cases and ideas which can be used in research and teaching. This presentation has a focus on POPBL in engineering, which is essentially problem solving. The presentation looks into on campus POPBL and the Facilitated Work Based Learning (FBL) for continuing education. It also presents case examples of POPBL work.