Pages 76-87
In the present paper, we implement a new approach to manufacturing education that is based on internships with local businesses and that uses an interactive skills transfer and skill training system that integrates virtual reality (VR) technology and information communications technology (ICT), which were developed at Saitama University. We have created an interactive technology and skills-sharing network that links the knowledge resources and technical resources of our university with the skill resources of local businesses. The objective is for our students to learn the skills and business needs of local businesses and to be able to effectively acquire knowledge and skills for manufacturing. We herein report our findings concerning performing practical training that uses specialized knowledge acquired from lectures combined with VR technology with the objective of providing students with a more complete skill set. Our undergraduate mechanical engineering curriculum provides practical education that combines experiments, seminars, lectures, practical training, and internships.
