Empowering tomorrow's industrial design engineers: A curriculum reform journey at the University of Twente's Faculty of Engineering Technology

The Bachelor program in Industrial Design Engineering (IDE) at the University of
Twente's Faculty of Engineering Technology is undergoing a transformative journey. Recognizing the need for an update to reflect the evolving landscape of industrial design engineering and its impact on society, the program staff is redesigning the curriculum. Emphasizing the role of design engineers in building a sustainable future, the reform aims to empower students by offering more choice, enhancing coherence, and integrating more reflection into the learning process.

In collaboration with students and staff, the reform prioritizes ownership of learning, coherence of the program, and relevance to real-world challenges. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning through project-based modules, gradually increasing complexity and autonomy for students. Additionally, the program integrates academic and professional skills, encourages continuous reflection and more attention for design and research strategies.

Aligned with the Dutch Ministry of Education's pilot for a smarter academic year, the IDE curriculum reform aims to create a learning environment that fosters student growth and intrinsic motivation, by providing a challenging but feasible program that supports students with formative feedback in the learning process. By embracing these principles, the program prepares students to become responsible design engineers equipped to address the complexities of our changing world.