International Project WeekInternationalising group project work for

civil engineering students

Dr Ian Smith

Head of School

School of Engineering and the Built Environment

Contents International Project Week (IPW) objectives Historical development Organisation: academic and industry input IPW 2009, Edinburgh, 11-17th May 2009 Media Student feedback Benefits and employability attributes

What is IPW? A one-week long event, held in a different European city each

year, to bring together undergraduate civil engineering students for a week of:

Collaborative working Internationalisation Construction site visits Interaction with industry and employers Networking socialising

Objectives to offer an International Week for students from several European

universities in a different European city each year to provide civil engineering undergraduates with an awareness of

education and industrial practice beyond their home nation. to provide technical insight into major civil engineering projects

addressing key environmental and sustainability challenges. to give students the opportunity to work and socialise with students and

staff from other European nations. to provide an international component to undergraduate studies in civil

engineering.

Historical development May 2006 – 50 students and staff visit ENU. May 2007 – IPW held in Amsterdam, 120 students, Edinburgh Napier

University, Copenhagen College of Engineering, and IUT A Claude Bernard University, Lyon: coastal defence theme.

April 2008 – IPW held in Copenhagen, 130 students, Latvia attended: transportation and water infrastructure themes.

May 2009 – IPW held in Edinburgh, 300 staff/students, Spain, Germany and Latvia attended: transportation theme.

April 2010 – IPW held in Lyon. 200 participants, tunneling theme. April 2011 – IPW to be held in Frankfurt.

Organisational structure

IPW 2009 Edinburgh

Edinburgh Napier University, 11 – 16 May

IPW 2009 Edinburgh Over 300 participants! 8 universities from 7 nations. Technical project lectures. Site visits. Group exercises and project work. Mini careers fair. Social events. Free time.

Government and Industry support Scottish Government Clients, designers & contractors. Established relationships. Professional bodies – ICE. Financial contribution. ‘In-kind’ contributions.

IPW 2009 Day 1

Keynote speakers: Prof Joan Stringer – Principal, Edinburgh Napier University Keith Brown MSP – Minister for Schools and Skills. Richard Coakley - VP Institution of Civil Engineers. Dr Ian Smith – Head of Civil Engineering. Ing Peter de Klerk – IPW chairman.

IPW 2009 Day 1

Technical lectures: Transport Scotland. Forth Estuary Transport Authority. New Forth Crossing Design Team. Network Rail & Balfour Beatty.

Groupwork: Groups of 6 students Different nationalities Educational, but fun Ice breaker on Day 1 Continued to work together

throughout the week…

IPW 2009 Day 1

IPW 2009 Days 2 & 3 – Site visits

1 hour technical lecture. Health & safety briefing. Guided tour of each site. All local transportation projects.

Edinburgh Trams – multi aspect project Rosyth Dock Yard – new aircraft carriers Forth Rail Bridge – iconic structure Forth Road Bridge – vital transport link

Edinburgh Trams

Edinburgh Trams

Rosyth Dock Yard

Forth Rail Bridge

Forth Rail Bridge

Forth Rail Bridge

Forth Road Bridge

Forth Road Bridge

Social events

MediaCivil engineering conference set to get started11 May 2009 Europe's largest student civil engineering conference will open in Edinburgh tomorrow.

Gradcracker is a UK-based careers site but we are keen to raise our profile across the EU as many of our employers are international companies, keen to recruit talented engineering

students to work both here in the UK and globally.“

Student feedback “… the best week I’ve had in my life so far.” Aernout Hoesintalib, Amsterdam.

“Thank you all for an awesome week!” Jane Gadeberg, Copenhagen.

“The highlight for me had to be getting to go on top of the Forth Rail Bridge.” James Anderson, Edinburgh.

“I loved IPW 2009 so much that I transferred from Latvia to study at Edinburgh Napier.” Zane Kalnina, Latvia.

Benefits and employability attributes Students leave with enhanced enthusiasm for their profession. Experience civil engineering beyond home nation. Understanding of operational practices in host nation – i.e. project

management, procurement and site practice. Improved English language skills. Knowledge and understanding of the civil engineering challenges

facing the host nation. Working knowledge of alternative engineering solutions – beyond

those employed in home nation. Further scholarly activity for staff – teaching exchange, internships,

work placements and research projects. Working with other European nationalities. Encouragement to study and work beyond home (study) nation.

Thank you…

Dr Ian SmithSchool of Engineering and the Built Environment