Globalization
To succeed in today's global economy, engineers require an educational experience that includes exposure to different cultures, customs and work ethics. Recognizing this need, the College of Engineering developed a number of highly innovative programs.
Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Engineering Global Leadership
Global Product Realization
Shanghai Jiao Tong University -- In 2000, Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), one of China's top engineering schools, wanted to become the first institution in China to apply the University of Michigan's faculty-review model to develop a rigorous faculty evaluation, promotion and tenure system. 
Michigan Engineering agreed to help SJTU restructure to achieve this end. In 2001, based on the success of that relationship, the College and SJTU signed an agreement that made Michigan Engineering the first non-Chinese academic institution approved by the Chinese Ministry of Education to offer engineering degrees to students across China. Today, using distance-learning technologies, Chinese students take Michigan Engineering courses and ultimately earn a Master of Engineering in Manufacturing degree. Through the close collaboration with SJTU, the College is able to recruit top Chinese engineering students to Michigan as well as to enable the College of Engineering's students to add global education to their engineering curriculum by taking courses or doing internships in China.
Engineering Global Leadership -- More than a decade ago, when the College asked its external advisory board and engineering companies what most affected their competitiveness, they identified two significant problems. 
The first was the difficulty that most engineers had in communicating not only with their peers but with the business community. The second was that working with people from other cultural and ethnic origins was a stumbling block. Learning this, the College instituted the Engineering Global Leadership (EGL) honors program. Established in 1993, this five-year course combines a traditional engineering undergraduate curriculum with courses in the School of Business Administration and the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. The EGL program leads to two degrees: a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Engineering.
Global Product Realization -- Using advanced communications technology to create a virtual classroom, the College introduced the Global Product Realization course, which brought students together from the United States, the Netherlands and South Korea. Established in 1998, the course offers students an opportunity to work in cross- cultural business and engineering teams to design and manufacture products for multiple international markets. Michigan Engineering faculty and their peers at partner universities use collaborative technology tools in addition to email, Web and video conferencing to teach around the clock, around the globe. Lectures and case studies from industry giants such as Ford Motor Company, Samsung Electronics, Steelcase, Philips Electronics, United Technologies Corporation and Whirlpool Corporation help round out the course.
