The EIT remote and virtual lab platform
The EIT lab hosting platform, Electromeet, connects students with lab computers in real time using TeamViewer software. Once connected, students will have access to a wide range of engineering software and connected hardware, which will be used in practical assessments throughout their course. Utilizing the Electromeet scheduling system, students are able to pre-book exclusive access to the required labs for when they are needed. The labs consist of:
- Virtual labs; computers hosting software for a multitude of engineering applications, including: modelling and analysis, science education, programming, power network design, construct models, design and drafting, project management, industrial process control, and virtual plant field operations.
- Remote labs; computers connected to physical equipment and sensors equivalent to the traditional university engineering lab. These practicals are interactive, controllable, variable, and viewable over webcams in real-time, with examples including; data communication and protocols, scientific instrumentation, physical experimentation, the control and observation of circuits, systems and machinery, and robotic automation.
Electromeet online lab hosting provides EIT students with on-demand access to professional engineering software and lab equipment, from anywhere in the world, subject to an internet connection. The booking and access page stipulates which software and physical equipment is available on each lab. Access is via the website: https://lab.electromeet.com/Home
EIT remote and virtual labs are hosted primarily in Perth, Australia, but additional labs are located in Johannesburg, London and Singapore. If a lab is offered in more than one of these locations, for an improved experience, EIT strongly suggests selecting the lab in the location which has the lowest latency for the student.
Demonstrable industrial experience
Embedded within the EIT Bachelor of Science and Master of Engineering curriculums is the requirement to complete 240 hours of engineering discipline-specific industrial work experience, with one or more companies, under the supervision of a professional engineer. Students are required to attend a site visit prior to independently undertaking industrial experience.
The primary objective of this requirement is to ensure that students have had the opportunity to learn about real situations in engineering practice; by working both independently, and in groups, and contributing to professional work related to their engineering specialisation in a meaningful way. Work experience may be achieved in numerous ways ranging from roles as junior members of teams, to tasks that form part of discrete engineering projects.
Through participation, observation, and engagement, students will: enhance their understanding of how organisations function, put engineering theory and concepts learned in the classroom into practice, develop their professional competencies, gain perspective on the realities of practice, and develop their judgement, innovation and problem solving skills.
In addition to understanding the company structure and activities, the student will be exposed to organisational policy and culture, interact with employees and other engineering disciplines, familiarise themselves with organisational communication procedures, and obtain insight and practical aptitude regarding projects; from the planning phase to completion.
For school leavers, the concept of networking and applying for industrial experience can be very daunting. EIT provides assistance to on-campus students in communication and presentation skills, contacting companies, arranging a site visit, and accessing a network of local engineering companies in order to meet the course requirements and pursue vacation work opportunities.
Students who already possess significant industrial experience in their engineering discipline of study may apply for recognition of prior learning to meet this requirement.
EIT also readily engages with distinguished industry guest speakers who are able to share their experiences and expertise.
Hands-on with engineering equipment and experimentation
Demonstrable practical hands-on work is a requirement of many professional engineering societies and accreditation agencies around the work and is an essential component of the EIT Bachelor of Science and Master of Engineering programs.
Whilst these programs include contextualised remote and virtual labs; equivalent to, or considerably more comprehensive than a traditional classroom-based program; it is essential to verify that students are competent in hands-on work skills, including; practical tool usage, workplace safety, physical measurement, experimentation, construction, assembly and working in an engineering team, within the context of their discipline. The workshops commence with a first aid course and each session requires students to undertake a job safety analysis. In total, there are four workshops for Bachelor’s students and five for Master’s students.
The Hands-on workshops are also conducted to provide the supplementary exposure to the course units. For example, the Hands-on Workshops cover laboratory experiments related to Physics as well as Chemistry; mechanical workshops apply theoretical concepts related to mechanisms, machines and processes; civil workshops relate to materials, surveying and construction; industrial automation workshops relate to instrumentation and controllers; and electrical workshops relate to circuits, switchgear, transformers and electrical motors. The latter workshops foster high-level technologist drafting and design skills and the Master’s workshop has engineering project teams working on a discipline-related comprehensive industrial case study.
On-campus and online students will elect to attend one of the annual workshop deliveries, at an EIT campus, but no sooner than having completed three semesters of full-time equivalent study to ensure sufficient prerequisite knowledge and skill. Subject to demand, workshops are run over four weeks in Perth and Johannesburg, commencing in January and November each year, with a fifth week for Master’s students. On-campus students may also choose to complete the initial workshops over the course of a semester.
Students who already possess significant industrial experience in their engineering discipline of study may apply for recognition of prior learning to meet this requirement. Master’s students who possess an accord-recognised undergraduate qualification are exempt from the first four workshops.
