Student as Partners in Engineering Education: Applying Industry Insights into Design of Mechanics of Solids Projects

<p dir="ltr">The advantages of Students as Partners (SaP) initiatives in higher education for student partners as well as pedagogical outcomes has been a subject of increasing research interest [1, 2], exploring avenues of improving equity, depth and effectiveness [3, 4]. This SaP initiative further integrates final-year students' industry experience to develop simulation-based learning materials and assessments for the Mechanics of Solids engineering module.</p><p dir="ltr"> This project involves Singapore Institute of Technology-University of Glasgow (SIT-UofG) students who completed their Integrated Work Study Programme (IWSP) internship programme in 2024. Leveraging hands-on industry experience using engineering simulation tools from their IWSP, three SaPs collaborated with faculty to develop Finite Element Analysis (FEA) workshop materials and case studies for subsequent SIT-UofG student cohorts. </p><p dir="ltr">Focusing on the process and outcomes, this study details the co-development of FEA workshops for classroom activities and case studies for project-based assessment, intended to enhance future students' understanding of engineering simulation and analysis. In this initiative, the three senior students embedded practical industry experience insights into module development for future junior students to engage in FEA best practices drawn directly from the industry. Such an approach enables students to connect theoretical learning with industry practice, which is crucial in improving transfer of learning from school-to-work [5]. </p><p dir="ltr">Each of the three student partners had completed their internships at separate firms during their IWSP. They were expected to apply simulation and engineering principles to solve real-world design and manufacturing challenges to hone their skills and competencies in several on-the-job industry projects. The students indicated that the insights and practical experience gained in their IWSP proved essential in enriching the curriculum via the SaP Initiative. Subsequently, the student partners designed case studies by applying and integrating IWSP knowledge and experience. Skills such as optimizing stress distribution in load bearing components or performing deformation analysis in complex geometries uncover further practical insights in these case studies. </p><p dir="ltr">Following participation in the SaP initiative, the three students completed a set of guided reflections highlighting the practical impact of the IWSP experience on their learning and mentoring abilities. Students also included suggestions to further align academic training with industry standards based on their experience in co-creating case studies, improving practical support for simulation learning. </p><p dir="ltr">This co-creation approach empowers students, enabling them to meaningfully apply learning to shape curriculum, mentor peers, and integrate industry-relevant skills into academic learning, fostering a more inclusive learning space. As a scalable model for engineering education, this initiative highlights the potential of students applying practical learning and skills to refresh curriculum and student engagement, further enhancing the implementation of SaP in engineering education spaces.</p>