Work in progress - graduate exchange program in microelectronics system engineering

In todaypsilas world, where new technologies emerge and advance at a very fast pace every year, many professional societies are discussing moving to a Master level program as a ldquofirst professional degreerdquo, anticipating graduates with advances skills for tomorrowpsilas demanding and advanced industry. In this context, the education at the master level is becoming more and more important. Another key issue in todaypsilas world is the impact of globalization process (needs of multinational corporations). The engineering education must address the impact of global hiring. The graduates entering the global workplace must possess besides the essential technical skills, also cultural, social and communication skills, enabling them to work and interact in international environments, bringing creativity and innovative development in multi-cultural groups. In this context, exchange programs between different universities, located in different countries and continents are flourishing, the universities trying to integrate study-abroad components in their programs. This paper is presenting as a ldquoWork in Progressrdquo, the first steps related to an exchange program at the graduate level in the area of Microelectronics, between two prestigious universities located in USA (Rose Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, IN) and Sweden (Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm). A Joint Degree or Dual Degree program at the Master Level is envisaged in the near future.