Developing research skills in undergraduate students through an internship program in research and innovation

• Autores: Nathalíe Galeano, Ruben Morales Menendez, Francisco J. Cantú
• Localización: The International journal of engineering education, ISSN-e 0949-149X, Vol. 28, no. 1, 2012, págs. 48-56
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • World-class universities have been recognized for their intellectual contributions, among which are the products and outcomes oftheir research, the impact these products have on the technological and economic development of regions of influence, as well asthe education of researchers. Tecnolo ́gico de Monterrey is promoting research education among undergraduate students. TheInternship in Research and Innovation Program (IRIP) was developed to instill those students with the skills and a motivation toinclude research and innovation as part of their curriculum. IRIP is a component of the Knowledge-based Development (KBD)model at Tecnolo ́gico de Monterrey, one of the central strategies that are consolidating it as a world-class teaching, research andentrepreneurial university. Different outcomes have been achieved since IRIP began, with close relations with the research groups called Research Chairs. The results of the research include international publications, technical developments, innovations andpatents, industrial research projects, and an increase in the training of researchers. The purpose of this paper is to present theconceptual and operational model of IRIP as an approach that, using Research-Based Learning (RBL) techniques, facilitates theintegration of undergraduate students in research activities. After a summary and comparison of how research activities withundergraduate students are promoted in the top ranked universities, the different approaches (stand-alone, attachment andinserted) that a university can follow for integrating RBL into the undergraduate curriculum are discussed.