A model program with emphasis on working experience and linkage to industries for manufacturing engineering students

Summary form only given as follows. Manufacturing engineering is to determine and define machinery, tools, and processes to transform raw materials into products through the use of efficient methods. Students in this field need theoretical knowledge and practical skills. The best way for training students is to cooperate with enterprises. This paper describes a successful model program for manufacturing engineering. Students who have entered a manufacturing engineering program for two years need to take a competency test to ensure that they have adequate basic technology. After students pass the competency test, they spend one more year of study in professional technology. Once students finish professional technology courses, they are assigned to enterprises for at least three months. For students to demonstrate their ability integrating theory and practice, they need to take two courses in their senior year: project design/fabrication and technical report. Problems to be solved for these two courses should be found from enterprises. In other words, there are three stages for students to finish their courses of study: competency test, working in industry, and project design/fabrication with technical report. Through this program, students become highly potential for their professional career