New paradigm in engineering changes higher education courses

Implementation of the new paradigm product lifecycle management (PLM) essentially changed work of engineers. At the same time, engineering with multidisciplinary products demanded PLM. PLM brought experience and expertise based knowledge driven product representation. It integrated huge amount information about product objects, processes, activities, analyses, methodologies, equipment, devices, and communications in active knowledge driven complex model. This model supposed advanced computer system. Currently, inherent characteristics of PLM modeling give new chance for higher education to turn towards case study and project based course programs while save theoretical content. In this paper, analysis and explanation of the new world of virtual engineering is introduced and discussed in order to conceptualize a future vision of higher education in engineering. Main contribution of this paper is practice oriented concept and model of course where theory and practice is harmonized in integrated teaching content using advanced PLM environment. Affect of PLM on curriculum is other main issue in this contribution.