In a report, commissioned by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the degree was described as ‘completely rethinking what engineering educating should look like’.

It comes after a benchmarking study was conducted into global state-of-the-art undergraduate engineering courses. 

The results were used to support the MIT program of reform in undergraduate engineering education.

Opinions from a range of international experts were shared throughout the report, where CSU was chosen as an emerging leader. 

One of the key features identified was the uni’s work-placement policy, with students learning on the job after only 18 months on campus.

This has placed Charles Sturt University’s new engineering program alongside renowned engineering education names like University College London, Singapore University of Technology and Design and University of Technology Delft.

According to the report, the university is offering a radically different approach to undergraduate engineering education.

The course focuses on human-centred engineering and diverse opportunities for students to explore authentic problems using state-of-the-art technology.

Engineering foundation professor Euan Lindsay said the degree was “completely out of the box”.

“Our program allows opportunities for students to explore and apply engineering learning through authentic problems through four year-long paid placements in the workforce,” Professor Lindsay said. 

“This is a program that trains student engineers not engineering students.”

CSU vice-chancellor Professor Andrew Vann said being able to influence global practice demonstrated innovation was alive and well in regional Australia.

“We knew … we had to offer something unique and radically different to producing entrepreneurial engineers,” Professor Vann said. 

“(We are producing) ‘entrepreneurial engineers’ with technical experience tackling authentic engineering problems.”