The M.Sc. in Integrated Product Development, or IPD, is celebrating its twelfth year since the course started in October 2005. Its 44 graduates are now mainly employed in important positions at leading local and multi-national manufacturing companies. To this end, the IPD course contributes to fostering expertise in high value added manufacturing amongst local engineers and scientists, to the benefit of industry.
Integrated Product Development is the modern approach in industry. This signifies that all of the aspects of product function and design, materials and manufacturing, product use and environmental impact, marketing, costing, entrepreneurship and business management are linked into a single discipline that is targeted towards optimising the overall product performance and degree of success.
The University of Malta's M.Sc. IPD programme of studies helps graduates acquire the skills and knowledge to maximize their performance and success in industry. It is built on two fundamental pillars: Product and Process Engineering, and Business and Management. In this manner, the course blends together these topics of IPD, and seeks to strengthen the skills of both experienced and new graduate engineers, scientists, technical managers, and aspiring or seasoned entrepreneurs.
The underlying principles of IPD and their integration are taught in a class setting, whereby theory is complemented by class based discussions, using case studies within a range of product development sectors. In addition, the theory on the production side of IPD is supplemented with practical lab sessions using state-of-the-art equipment. Participants benefit from the expertise of academic staff members of both the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Economics, Management & Accountancy, as reflected in the course content. The course also includes an optional field study visit overseas, during which students learn best IPD practices at renowned companies, such as BMW, Airbus Helicopters and M.A.N.
The course extends over a minimum period of three academic years of part-time study, which allows participants to continue with their career whilst studying. Three hour lectures are typically delivered twice a week in the evening. Students have three study units per semester in the first two years and a project in the last year. The next course is due to start in October 2017.
Candidates can benefit from the GetQualified scheme, which consists of a tax credit for individuals taking up an approved course of studies.
URL: http://www.eng.um.edu.mt/~dmeu/msc/
An evening reception took place at the Malta Enterprise premises to commemorate the twelve-year anniversary of the course. A number of speakers addressed the different aspects of the IPD course. Dr Ing. Philip Farrugia, as course coordinator, spoke of the history and background of the course.. Mr Joe Caruana, Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Education and Employment, highlighted the measures being taken by the government to bridge the gap between education and employability, while Prof. Godfrey Baldacchino, Pro Rector for International Development and Quality Assurance, explained how the University of Malta is ensuring high-quality knowledge transfer at a postgraduate level. Ing. James Attard Kingswell, Innovation Engineer, at Toly Products Ltd, was the invited testimonial and spoke on the relevance of IPD to industry. Finally, Dr Farrugia gave an overview of the course, including content and delivery approach.
Guests included Alumni (2008 - 2016), current IPD students, prospective IPD students, academics involved in the IPD course, industrial stakeholders, including CEOs, directors and HR managers.