Budding engineers take on real world project

A new learning project which aims to prepare engineering students for the real world is being trialled at Wintec.

The project, which makes up part of the Bachelor of Engineering Technology, sees students from both the electrical and mechanical engineering disciplines work together on a project to develop their version of the mathematical game, Tower of Hanoi.

Those specialising in mechanical engineering design the parts and the automated manufacturing process, while the electrical engineering students design the control system and assemble the parts into the final product.

"It's vital that engineering graduates are able to apply what they've learnt in class to their job in the real world," says Wintec's Centre for Engineering and Industrial Design Centre Director, Shelley Wilson.

"Many projects in the workplace require electrical and mechanical engineers to work together, so by having students working across disciplines on this project, they're able to see first-hand the type of collaboration that would be involved in the real world.

"It also gives them a chance to manage a project as well as to understand the importance of communication. We're essentially teaching them how they would put into practice the skills they've learnt," says Shelley.

The Bachelor of Engineering Technology is a three year full-time degree where students can specialise in civil, electrical or mechanical engineering.

Find out more about studying engineering at Wintec.