A Novel Engineering Systems Approach for Bioengineering Education: the MIT-Portugal Collaboration

Abstract

This paper discusses the importance of an engineering systems approach to international bioengineering education and how a new educational research program, the MIT-Portugal Program Bioengineering Systems focus area, aims to develop future global bioengineering leaders. The program, comprising both post-graduate advanced studies and doctoral programs, commences in September 2007. Several other international-collaborative educational and research programs—such as the Cambridge-MIT Institute, the Singapore MIT Alliance, and the Socrates/Erasmus “Erasmus Programme”—offer lessons learned in international collaboration. The MPP Bioengineering Systems program differs from these programs in several respects. The unique collaboration in MPP offers an engineering systems approach, a joint degree offered by three Portuguese universities, and collaborative teaching and research efforts between MIT and Portuguese faculty and students.