The ever increasing technological developments and greater demands from our society for qualitative better, safer, sustainable products, processes and systems are pushing the boundaries of what is possible from an engineer’s perspective.
Besides the (local) grand challenges in energy, sustainability, health and mobility the world is getting smaller due to advances in communication and digitalization. The exponential increase of complexity and data driven systems (big data) which are integrated and connected to different networks calls for rethinking and inventing new business models [1].
To stay competitive in the world OEM’s and SME’s have to develop breakthrough technological, innovative and advanced systems and processes.
These changes have a major impact on engineering education. The industry needs engineers with different competences and skills to fulfil the challenges and demands mentioned earlier. Universities should follow up on these changes and can only deliver and prepare the engineers of the future by close collaboration with the high tech industry.
Fontys University is fully aware of this and developed a Centre of Expertise in High Tech Systems & Materials (CoE HTSM) to close the gap between the university and industry. This CoE is a public-private cooperation where applied research, projects and educational programs for different curricula are being developed and executed.
By making the industry partner and giving them a role within the university, the engineering education programs and the future engineering profile can be better aligned in a faster and more structural way.