University of Prince Edward Island

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada

At most engineering schools, students are hired for cooperative education work terms at various businesses and non-profits. This model is an excellent way for students to gain experience, meet people, and do some work along the way. The partner organization benefits from new ideas and gets some minor additional work completed. UPEI’s unique design clinic program offers a different opportunity for industry partners that, for many businesses, achieves greater value. The cost is similar to hiring a student for a co-op term. However, under our model, industry partners interact with a team of 4–6 second year students over eight months to develop a solution to a technical challenge from within their organization. The faculty provides technical guidance to the students, meaning the partner doesn’t have to attach as many resources to the project. The process and outcomes are meaningful for the partner and students alike. And, similar to a co-op agreement, the partner still gets to meet the next generation of engineers, benefit from their creativity, and develop professional relationships for the future. » BENEFITS • Obtain a fresh perspective from students who are the future of engineering • Solve a problem you may not have time or capacity to address • Recruit future employees • Provide visibility to your company and sector • Foster the next generation of professional engineers