Long-Term Practical Project-Based Learning Education for Developing Advanced IoT Engineers on the Trinity Partnership: Industry–Academia–Government

<italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Contribution:</i> This study introduces a two-year, 180-h project-based learning (PBL) program in Internet of Things (IoT) education, developed through collaboration among industry, academia, and government. The program provides a scalable model for integrating real-world challenges into engineering curricula to enhance technical and professional competencies. <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Background:</i> The growing demand for IoT professionals, especially in aging societies like Japan, highlights the need for long-term, interdisciplinary education. Traditional approaches often lack sufficient depth to prepare students for complex, real-world applications. <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Research Questions:</i> How can a long-term, tri-sector PBL curriculum foster IoT engineers capable of addressing societal challenges? What educational outcomes result from sustained, authentic project engagement? <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Methodology:</i> Students engaged in three consecutive PBL subjects addressing themes such as system development, social application, and business design. Teams created IoT solutions based on real issues proposed by local governments and industry partners. Faculty and peers evaluated each project on creativity, implementation, and technical quality. <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Findings:</i> Teacher assessments improved steadily, while peer evaluations became more critical over time, reflecting students’ growth in skills and self-awareness. The results suggest that long-term, authentic PBL supported by cross-sector collaboration effectively enhances both technical ability and professional mindset.