Preparing computer engineers for a global economy: A study on effective collaboration practices in global student teams

Abstract

This paper discusses our ongoing efforts on developing, and conducting, senior design projects that involve undergraduate students working together on entrepreneurial, innovative projects. The students are from multiple universities, some of which are abroad. The goal is to emulate the main elements of global engineering teams that develop complex, multidisciplinary designs while targeting market-related constraints, such as price, reliability, size and ease-of-use. This paper discusses the goals and organization of the global student teams, and presents our experience in working with such teams.