University Adds Enterprise Planning Solution to Industrial Engineering Education

Today, when industrial engineering students leave university, employers expect them to be well-versed in enterprise resource planning (ERP). To address this need, Yildiz University built a programme around business software Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009. With the help of Microsoft Gold Certified Partner ETG Datatraining, the university created a learning environment that combines practical knowledge with theoretical study.

Business Needs

Yildiz University, one of the most popular universities in Istanbul, Turkey, has had a reputation for providing quality education since 1911. With more than 25,000 students, the university offers a wide range of programmes in 10 faculties. Around 900 students are enrolled in the university’s Industrial Engineering programmes. The Industrial Engineering department offers five programmes—one undergraduate, three MScs, and one PhD. Practical application of the theories students learn is an important aspect of their education. In addition to taking three project courses that focus on developing a solution to a typical problem in the public or private sector, all students complete two internships during summer breaks. The companies hiring these students as interns—and also as employees—expect them to have a basic knowledge of the software and technology used to run organisations once they have completed their degrees.

After speaking with leaders from local companies, including those that hire interns from the university, administrators decided to address this challenge by adding instruction in ERP software to its curriculum.

Solution

In 2007, the university set up a laboratory dedicated to ERP software. Ceyda Sen, Assistant Professor of Industrial Engineering at Yildiz University, set out to find the appropriate solution to teach. As a PhD student, Sen had written her thesis on developing a decision support system for ERP software, so she had plenty of opportunity to compare applications available on the market. Her methodology was based on a multi-criteria decision-making process, evaluating all of the reasons someone would choose an ERP solution, and all of the applications available. Sen says: “Microsoft Dynamics is the best application for teaching students about supply chain management, logistics and inventory management, project accounting, order management and reporting—the skills they need when they graduate. I focus on these features in my courses, giving detailed information and setting exercises.”

The university joined the Microsoft Dynamics Academic Alliance programme, which gives academic institutions easy access to the latest Microsoft Dynamics solutions, an open dialogue with Microsoft, and the opportunity to attend Microsoft conferences such as Convergence EMEA. The university partnered with ETG Datatraining to develop the initial curriculum and form a strategic relationship to educate students in systems and software that would be relevant to their future careers. The programme—including courses on information systems, manufacturing resource planning, and project management—combines theory delivered in classroom lectures, with hands-on practical assignments that are completed in the specially equipped computer laboratory. In addition to providing initial curriculum and training, the company also hires several students a semester, as interns.

After providing the initial instruction, ETG Datatraining left the daily instruction to Sen and her colleagues. Selami Kul, Director at ETG Datatraining, says: “It was a natural partnership. We need a source of new employees who have competence in technology, while the university is happy to provide its students with the opportunity to learn from and work with people who are already in the business. ETG Datatraining visits the laboratory to speak to students a couple of times each semester.”

Benefits

By using Microsoft Dynamics solutions as a teaching tool, Yildiz University provides innovative education that combines theory with the practical skills employers want. Demand for students who graduated from the programme is also growing as local companies look for new employees who have theoretical and practical knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics AX.

Enrolment increased by 30 per cent. With the creation of the ERP system laboratory, students can perform tasks that mirror the activities of local companies. Students become familiar with roles in the manufacturing supply chain while they’re still at university. Enrolment increases by 30 per cent each term. “Approximately 45 per cent of undergraduates and 60 per cent of graduate students who earn their degrees this year in industrial engineering will have theoretical and practical knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics AX. Many of our students are so impressed with Microsoft Dynamics AX that they go on to take certification courses after they graduate,” says Sen.

Increased job prospects. By combining practical knowledge with theoretical study, Yildiz University is increasing opportunities for students when they leave school. “We’ve been very happy with the quality of the interns we’ve taken on since the start of the programme. In fact, we’ve hired most of our interns as permanent employees,” says Kul.

Latest technology. As a technical university specialising in science and engineering, it’s important for Yildiz University to provide instruction in the most up-to-date, widespread technology used in business. It strengthens its reputation as one of the highest rated institutions of higher education in Turkey, by offering hands-on learning experiences in Microsoft Dynamics. “The students appreciate the instruction and the lab is so popular that it’s in use all the time it’s open,” says Sen.

Collaboration with local business. By collaborating with local businesses and Microsoft, Yildiz University gives students real-world experience and contact with professionals in the industry, which they find invaluable after they graduate.

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