New engineering clinic at Wayne State offers student-driven solutions to industry clients

The Wayne State University College of Engineering is establishing an engineering clinic that will concurrently create project-based learning opportunities for bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. students, and produce market-ready solutions for industry sponsors.

The clinic — an affiliate of the Anderson Engineering Ventures Institute, the College of Engineering’s entrepreneurial incubator — will be guided by an experienced and credentialed engineering professional who will mentor students and facilitate long-term projects.

According to Ali Abolmaali, dean of the College of Engineering, the concept for the clinic stems from the need for engineering students to apply classroom lessons in a hands-on environment, akin to the clinical rotations of students in the School of Medicine, while closing the talent gap that exists in many industrial sectors.

“The engineering clinic draws inspiration from the medical education model, but we will run it much like a business,” said Abolmaali. “It is our belief that this engineering clinic will serve as a tremendous resource for our clients, particularly those who are short on personnel, with the added benefit of real-world experience for our students.”

Projects will be integrated into the curriculum and students can count their work for internship credits. Those students selected to collaborate on projects are expected to demonstrate technical proficiency as well as strong communication skills and an aptitude for multidisciplinary teamwork.

The clinic is expected to be operational by May 2023.