Abstract:

The shortage of design engineers and technicians is a frequently discussed topic nowadays, also matters relating to the unsatisfactory quality of graduates from technical fields is gaining more and more consideration not only in the Czech Republic but also in other parts of the world. Therefore, the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering (FME) at the University of West Bohemia (UWB) asked itself the question, ‘What should be done to reduce these problems?’ The answer is simple. It is necessary to modernize the education of mechanical engineers by the introduction of innovative learning projects, which should increase the quality of education and also enhance the practical contribution for students, who would then be in a better position on the labour market after graduation. A better level of education is not the only purpose of this project. Another task is to make fields of study at FME more attractive for potential applicants. By introducing problems from engineering practice and examples of real machines and devices from technical companies we want to show to students that mechanical engineering is not a boring, outdated and dirty profession but, on the contrary, it is a field full of modern automated machines and processes that facilitate our everyday life.
The first part of this article gives a description of the development of technical education in the Czech Republic and an explanation of all the important aspects that affected or still affect the education of mechanical engineers in our country. Education is described before and after the collapse of the Communist regime in 1989, then there is a description of the current state and also the expected direction which the education of technicians should take. Following the development of education in the Czech Republic there are introduced innovative projects which are worked on by teams of students with help from academics at FME and experts from industrial companies. These projects deal with Project-Based Learning (PBL), which is intended to connect students more deeply in solving interesting problems that they might face in any industrial company. Problem solving of each project includes detailed research, tests, experiments and also theoretical preparation for specific problems. Via these projects students become involved in interesting practical topics during their studies, meaning they can easily broaden their theoretical knowledge and, what is more important, they also gain crucial practical skills. Insufficient practical skills are often a weakness of graduates from technical fields and via the innovative educational system at our Faculty, students should improve their skills, thereby having a better position in the labour market.

Keywords:

Project based learning, team work, education innovation, technical education, mechanical engineering, machine design.