Adding Value: Strengthening the Relationship among “Teaching”, “Learning” and “Researching” in Undergraduate Engineering Education

Abstract

This paper focuses on the discussion of project-based pedagogies in undergraduates’ engineering education via strengthening the relationship among teaching, learning and researching. The relationship among “Teaching”, “Learning” and “Researching” has been described as a triangular-interwork, in which the important roles of the undergraduates have been stated. Some practices and suggestions for redesigning some engineering classes and programs to include more student engagement have been given. Successful examples carried out in three levels, i.e., course-level, major-level, and industry-level, in Ningbo Institute of Technology, Zhejiang University, have been presented in detail. They are based on the key line of major related industry, whilst the project-based learning is persistent in the whole engineering education process. This paper also lays out the possible routes for achievement of good relationship among teaching, learning and researching, by both teachers’ and students’ sides, aiming at enhancing students’ involvement in their learning and final seviceablity for intellectual support to local economy.