Abstract:

Ensuring meaningful and pertinent learning is one of main commitments that educational institutions face today, and one of the most important factors to achieve it, is an updated curricula, which leads to face challenges such as training teachers on pedagogical issues, but more so in new issues, and new methodologies and technologies used by employers. One of the advantages of having a flexible educational model based on basic competencies is that allows students to acquire elective credits through "Other forms of learning," such as developing linking projects with credit value (PVVC). This activity consists in to involve students in a prototype development or new methodology application to solve a real need within a public or private company, according to the student graduate profile. The outlined activities to execute the project must involve that students acquire the competencies of one or up to three learning units and must be realized in a real environment. In addition, the student must have an academic tutor designated by Institution and a project manager within the company. Not to mention the benefits these training activities provide for students, PVVC development it provides an opportunity for the academic tutor to stay updated on various topics given the needs of industrial sector. The School of Engineering Sciences and Technology (ECITEC) has seen an increase of over 20% in the executed PVVC from 2013 to 2014. This paper presents an analysis of observed benefits, according to teachers, employers and students of different educational programs experience during the execution of these PVVC; Among advantages we can mention that teachers are more motivated to keep updating, develop new projects and strengthen their research and/or knowledge issue. Besides having access to new technologies allowing them to seek improvement and upgrading of Institution laboratories as well as improve the supply of services and continuing education, including experiences professionals and prepared to solve productive sector current needs, benefiting the relationship between the university, business and society.

Keywords:

Disciplinary training, Industry-University linkage.