Joint Development of Continuing Engineering Studies Programs: An Example of Industry Education Dialogue Using Ad Hoc Advisory Committees

This paper describes the successful use of Ad Hoc Advisory Committees drawn from universities and industry to jointly design and market continuing engineering studies (non-credit) programs. The joint Ad Hoc Committee technique has been successfully used in five different metropolitan areas to focus university offerings on the needs of its clientele. This has benefited the individual engineer, the companies and the universities involved. An example of a successful on-going continuing engineering studies program using this technique is described. Procedures, experience and "lessons learned" with use of the technique are discussed.