Thiagarajar College of Engineering (TCE), Madurai, India is a member of Worldwide CDIO Initiative and has been practicing CDIO based curriculum from the academic year 2018-19. During the 60th year of establishment of our institution, we revisited the academic, research, industry interface and extension activities so that the institution can be moved to next level.  Following are the key initiatives and their impacts:

1. Curriculum Revamp: The introduction of new courses focusing on design thinking, project management, and system thinking alongside capstone projects indicates a shift towards more practical and hands-on learning experiences. This approach is crucial for equipping students with the necessary skills demanded by core engineering industries.

2. Faculty Development: Providing exclusive in-house training programs and pedagogical training in collaboration with international experts demonstrates a commitment to enhancing faculty teaching competence. Engaging faculty members in continuous professional development ensures they are equipped to deliver effective education aligned with CDIO principles.

3. Community Engagement: The successful implementation of Engineering Projects in Community Services (EPICS) program not only contributes to addressing real-world problems but also instills a sense of social responsibility among students. This initiative fosters teamwork, problem-solving skills, and empathy, which are essential aspects of engineering practice.

4. Assessment Methods: Introducing a diverse range of assessment methods to evaluate technical, personal, and interpersonal skills reflects a comprehensive approach towards measuring student learning outcomes. This ensures that the assessment aligns with the holistic objectives of the CDIO framework and provides valuable feedback for continuous improvement.

5. Technology Integration: Developing an in-house customized web application for effective assessment of learning outcomes highlights the integration of technology to support the CDIO implementation process. Leveraging technology enhances efficiency and transparency in assessment procedures, facilitating data-driven decision-making.

6. Institutional Collaboration: Establishing a CDIO core group with representation from all departments fosters collaboration and cross-disciplinary exchange of ideas. This collaborative approach ensures that CDIO principles are integrated seamlessly across various programs and departments, promoting a cohesive educational experience.

Overall, TCE's commitment to CDIO principles and continuous improvement is evident through these initiatives. The positive impact on CDIO standards, national accreditation, and institutional ranking underscores the effectiveness of these reforms in enhancing the quality of engineering education and preparing students for diverse career opportunities in the global engineering landscape.

• Innovative curriculum
  • Engineering Exploration
  • Lateral thinking
  • Design thinking
  • System thinking
  • Engineering Design
• Problem based learning
  • EPICS
  • Maker Space
• Faculty training in Design & implement Experiences

• S J Thiruvengadam, S Baskar, V R Venkatasubramani and V Abhaikumar, “Design of CDIO Curriculum for Undergraduate Engineering Programme: Indian Context”, 16th International CDIO Conference, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, 2020
• S J Thiruvengadam, S Saravana Perumaal, S Baskar, C Jeyamala, and V Abhaikumar, “Design Thinking Course Implementation in CDIO Based Undergraduate Programmes”, 16th International CDIO Conference, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, 2020
• Impact Analysis of Academic Reforms for CDIO Implementation: Case Study- Thiruvengadam S J, Baskar S, Saravana Perumaal S, Anitha D and Jeyamala C, Proceedings of the 17th International CDIO Conference, hosted online by Chulalongkorn University & Rajamangala University of Technology, Thailand, June, 2021 http://www.cdio.org/files/document/file/111.pdf
• Thiruvengadam S J, Venkatasubramani V R "Lateral Thinking Course Implementation in CDIO Based Undergraduate Programmes", Proceedings of the 17th International CDIO Conference, hosted online by Chulalongkorn University & Rajamangala University of Technology, Thailand, June 21-23, 2021.

• Establishment of CDIO maker space to promote active and problem based learning.

• Setup of smart classrooms equipped with Digital boards, Audio-visual aids, Lecture Capturing System, reconfigurable seating arrangements.

• Setup of e-Studio to record video lectures

• Lecture Capturing systems: