Stimulating Manufacturing Excellence through University-Industry Interaction: - problem-based learning at Aalborg University, Denmark

This paper considers what a university engineering school can do to stimulate manufacturing excellence in industry. Aalborg University, with its unique use of problem-based learning methods, is used as a case example. This approach is also embedded in a new research initiative, the Centre for Industrial Production. Examples of industry involvement in research and development projects are given. Such university–industry collaboration will not only benefit the development of competencies in large and small industrial enterprises, but will also provide a laboratory setting for the study of integration and implementation. The engineering problem-solving approach helps to identify university core competencies and suggests a new research agenda.