Engineering Design Curriculum Based on Multi-school, Multidisciplinary, And Multi-grade Team Activities

In the modern era, engineers require not only technical expertise but also collaboration, problem-solving, and innovative thinking to meet the rapidly evolving demands of industries such as mobility. Project-based learning (PBL) and multidisciplinary teamwork have emerged as essential methods for cultivating these competencies in engineering students. This paper presents the development and outcomes of a flagship program within the Next Generation Mobility Consortium, designed to simulate real-world industrial environments. The program aimed to foster students' technical skills, teamwork, and design thinking through multi-school, multidisciplinary, and multi-grade team activities. The program engaged 27 students from five universities, utilizing both online and offline sessions. Key components included hands-on training in Arduino, modeling, and design thinking, alongside mentoring from industry professionals. Students participated in a structured curriculum focused on user-centered problem-solving and prototype development, culminating in final presentations evaluated by experts. The program significantly enhanced participants’ technical knowledge, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities. High levels of satisfaction were reported, particularly with regard to mentoring and hands-on activities. However, challenges such as time constraints and limited opportunities for user research were identified. The study concludes that multidisciplinary, collaborative programs are essential for preparing future engineers. Expanding such programs to include multinational participation and more comprehensive user research is recommended to further enrich the learning experience and its relevance to real-world challenges.