W-12 Learning Express : Transnational Collaboration in Engineering Education Based on the CDIO Framework

Abstract

Learning Express is an immersive student exchange program that brings together students from multi-national, multi-cultural, and multi-disciplinary backgrounds to collaborate on social innovation projects in Southeast Asia. The program, conceived and spearheaded by Singapore Polytechnic, started in March 2013. Kanazawa Institute of Technology, Kanazawa Technical College, and Singapore Polytechnic together with local institutional partners, conducted the program in Yogyakarta (2013, 2014) and Malang (2015), Republic of Indonesia. The participating institutions were divided into three project groups and conducted the program with three different communities over a 14-day period. The program succeeded in providing a rich learning experience for the participants. The real world environment with real problems offered the students an in-depth look at issues faced by the communities in question and challenged the participants to solve them using the design thinking methodology. Furthermore, the program involved participants in activities that addressed local needs while developing their academic skills and commitment to the community. This report introduces this program along with its unique characteristics.