109 Current Status and Future Development of "Kougaku-Ryoku" Education : Innovative Trials in Engineering Education at Niigata University

Abstract

The education centre for engineering and technology was established in the faculty of engineering at Niigata University in spring 2005 so as to elevate the motivation of undergraduate students for learning through making some products. To this end, we have been practicing several new engineering education programs, such as multidisciplinary projects similar to PBL, the active involvement of the students with the collaborative research and development between university and private companies and so on. These attempts are designed for the students to have fundamental or compulsory competence for engineering. In this report, current features of these programs are mentioned, and critical issues as well as future direction of engineering education are discussed.