Developing a Virtual Laboratory Framework Based on the Lean Approach in Engineering Education: A Response to Industry 4.0 Skills

The rapid advancement of digital technologies, referred to as Industry 4.0, has profoundly transformed the manufacturing landscape, necessitating a reevaluation of engineering education. Future engineers must possess diverse skills and competencies to effectively navigate this new era of intelligent, interconnected, and data-driven production systems. In response to this challenge, this research paper introduces a framework for a virtual laboratory in mechanical and industrial engineering that creates a laboratory in virtual reality (VR) by integrating Lean Manufacturing principles to optimize flow shop processes, thereby preparing engineering students for the demands of Industry 4.0. This approach prepares students to navigate the challenges of modern manufacturing, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and its practical application. This paper will discuss the concept of the virtual laboratory for mechanical and industrial engineering education in the Moroccan context based on lean principles.