Wuhan, China / Daegu, Republic of Korea E09

At A Glance

Term – E 2009

Project opportunities – MQP (Korea - ME/MFE, RBE; China - ME/MFE, ECE, IE/MGE, ChE, RBE)

Housing – Shared apartments

Director – Professor Rong, Associate Director - Professor Zeng

Preparation – PQP in D 2009

Application deadline – November 5, 2008 (before 1:00 PM)

LOCATION

As the manufacturing industry becomes more and more global, many research, design, and manufacturing activities go to China. To experience working with professionals from different backgrounds and in a different cultural environment, 12 ME and IE students from WPI will be selected to work with 18 students from Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, China. Six projects defining problems and providing solutions with industrial sponsors or strong industrial application background will be completed. HUST is a major university in China with excellent engineering programs. The mechanical engineering major has been consistently ranked among the top major in China. Wuhan is a large and industrialized city in central China, with a rich cultural heritage and easy access to Beijing and Shanghai, as well as other cities, by train or airplane. Students will stay on HUST’s campus, but may travel to other cities based on the project requirements. Students will have a chance to merge into Chinese culture and experience people’s daily life in China. The projects will be completed within 7-8 weeks.

PROJECTS

In China these MQPs will be conducted at HUST, possibly with 2-3 trips to other cities. WPI students will work with HUST students in mixed teams, with co-advisors from both WPI and HUST. These projects are real world problems and are sponsored by global companies with China operations, such as UTC, Caterpillar, and Amphenol TCS, and institutions in the areas of mechanical product and system design, robotics, manufacturing processes, environmental engineering, supplier chain management, and lean manufacturing implementations. Information on previous projects can be found at http://www.me.wpi.edu/Research/CAMLab/mqpinchina/index.htm.

In Korea, these MQPs will be conducted at KNU. WPI students will work with KNU students in mixed teams, with co-advisors from both WPI and KNU. These projects are real world problems and are sponsored by local companies in automotive industry in the areas of mechanical product and system design, robotics, manufacturing processes, and lean manufacturing implementations. The Daegu Center is operated with close tie to the Wuhan Center in China. The students will travel to Wuhan, China for their final presentation and will have a chance to visit China for a few days. Information on previous projects can be found at http://www.me.wpi.edu/Research/CAMLab/mqpinchina/index.htm.

ESTIMATED EXPENSES:

Estimated Out-of-Pocket Expenses	$1,500 **$ 0 $ 500 $ 500	Travel to site (RT airfare) Travel to site IF funded Groceries and meals Tourist travel, activities, entertainment & incidentals
Estimated total out-of-pocket Estimated total out-of-pocket expenses IF funded	$2,500 **$1,000
Expenses included on your WPI bill*	$ 500 **$ 0	Housing and program expenses plus some local transportation if not funded Housing and program expenses plus some local transportation if funded
Estimated Total Expenses if NO funding available **Estimated Total expenses IF funded by NSF	$3,000 **$1,000	E term tuition is not included – E term tuition MUST be paid by April 1, 2009. Please see see http://www.wpi.edu/Academics/Summer/tuition.html for details

*Subject to change due to fluctuations in exchange rate

Note:

One roundtrip international airfare, project related in-land travel, and lodging costs MAY be covered by an NSF grant for E09.
In calculating the extra expense to participate in an off-campus project experience, compare this figure to expenses incurred while living on campus (groceries or meal plan, entertainment expenses, transportation, etc.)

Travel Dates:

Arrive on site: Sunday, June 14, 2009
Depart site: Wednesday, August, 5, 2009

Housing is provided beginning and ending on the dates as determined. Students who plan to arrive earlier or stay later will need to make their own accomodation arrangements outside of those dates.