In general an IPD-project follows the next outline:
A group of six to eight students, preferably from different departments*, receive an assignment from a (industrial) company. The assignment often consists of an investigation for a new product including a market survey for this product. Normally, when viable of course, a prototype has to be developed.
The assignment has to be completed in one semester (five months). This could be any semester, but given the complexity of most assignments and the necessary theoretical knowledge we prefer the 7th semester (4th year) of a student’s education.
During this semester there are also other educational activities. So a limited amount of time is available for this project and therefore has to be organised very well.
A big advantage of these projects is that it can be seen as a perfect preparation for the student’s graduation in a company, which takes place in the 8th semester.
At the end of this semester all groups present and demonstrate their projects at a symposium. Representatives of companies, invited guests, lecturers and students are present during this day.
At this day a jury will determine which group has realised the best project. An award and a small token of appreciation will be handed out to them a the end of he symposium.
* Electronics’, Mechanical, Physics, ICT, Industrial Design, etc.
