Student engagement in engineering design: A successful story at Qatar University

A successful story on teaching innovation and creativity in engineering design instruction is presented in this paper. The approach emphasizes the role of student engagement built around team spirit and industry support to students. This paper presents findings on student engagement, engagement styles and practical implementation of instructional methods to enhance student engagement in engineering design. This approach targets student-centered learning where the students assume the responsibility for their own learning. A team teaching and learning approach was adopted with great emphasis on industrial involvement and student role play for a better preparation for future professional life. This approach has allowed students to reinforce and apply subject knowledge, whilst developing key skills such as teamwork and communication. The project-based approach has been successful at improving students' engagement and sense of responsibility within a more active learning environment. It has also boosted a majority of students' confidence in themselves, making a significant shift from the purely academic achievement to near professional life achievement.