Bridging the Gap: Cooperative Partnerships for Space Education
- Paper number
IAC-07-E1.4.09
- Author
Dr. Benjamin Davis, United States
- Year
2007
- Abstract
Educating technical and managerial leaders for the space world of tomorrow has often been a disjointed experience. Typically, students receive either a targeted, academics–only space education or they receive an education with no space-related content with applied learning coming later Much better would be an integrated learning process whereby formal post-secondary education is combined with applied, practical training. The way this can best be accomplished is through a co-operative education program whereby students link on-the-job work experiences with concurrent classroom learning. This paper describes a program that meets the needs of the space industry while providing a first-class educational experience to students. The purpose of this paper is to describe a particularly effective model for space education that integrates academic rigor with immediate industry application. The methodology is to present the results of the implementation of a new model for space education. The intended outcome is that other educational institutions will be able to duplicate the model for the improved delivery of space education. The material presented in this paper is original, and the paper has not been presented previously in any format or in any other venue. Effective education requires a partnership between academia and industry. One component of the partnership is the school. Required of the school are accredited programs which are kept contemporary with the latest academic theories and responsive to the latest space industry needs. Regular assessment of both industry demand and education program components is required. Industry-focused advisory councils which accurately represent industry needs are required for each program, and faculty members with both academic and industry experience are required for appropriate implementation. The other component of the partnership is firms in the space industry. When specific employer needs have been identified, universities are able to assist in the selection of appropriate candidates for specific positions. This requires close interaction between student advisors and technical managers, not just the human resources departments. Human resources departments understand what is generally needed, but technical managers understand specific requirements. Universities also help monitor the student-employee’s performance, providing counseling and intervention where needed to assure both the employer and the student-employee’s objectives are met. One area of particular applicability of this program has been for international graduate students. International students with their undergraduate work behind them have proven to be prime candidates for this cooperative education experience, and specific examples this implementation in the international context are presented.
- Abstract document