This story is part of an initiative led by the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) to highlight entrepreneurship and innovation across Indiana's universities. Learn more about the initiative here.

Rose-Hulman students working on their senior capstone project. (Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology photo/Bryan Cantwell)

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology has launched a program designed to connect industry partners with students to help solve real-world challenges.

Managed through the institute's Department of Mechanical Engineering, the new Design Clinic gives students the chance to use their senior capstone projects to help area businesses develop solutions such as product development, manufacturing improvements, and automation concepts.

Shraddha Sangelkar, associate professor of mechanical engineering and capstone project coordinator at Rose-Hulman, told Inside INdiana Business the program helps companies complete projects that they otherwise may not have time for.

"For projects like that, they come to us, and then our students in a team of four … will work on it for entire year. They do it under the advisement of a faculty member," Sangelkar said. "We provide them all the resources they would need to be successful … so that they can create a quick prototype and solve it."

Rose-Hulman said potential projects could include testing systems, assistive technologies, sustainability initiatives, process optimization or other engineering challenges that could be addressed within the academic year.

Throughout the process, the partnering companies will receive regular design reviews, testing results, technical documentation, and, when applicable, a functional prototype.

Sangelkar said the Design Clinic is not a new concept; many other institutions have similar programs in place, and her goal was to bring the concept to the Midwest. She said the program formalizes efforts that Rose-Hulman has done in the past for manufacturers such as Milwaukee Tool and ThyseenKrupp Presta.

The Design Clinic is launching primarily for mechanical engineering seniors at Rose-Hulman as the culmination of their studies.

"In that year … they are applying all these concepts to their real-life project and experience, and transitioning as a professional," Sangelkar said. "They are learning all along. They're applying their skills. They're learning new skills. They're trying to see what challenges exist in the real world, and they are just solving the problems."

Alex Adams, a mechanical engineering graduate, said the capstone program mimics the environment she expects to see in her future career.

"Students here are really eager to get that hands-on experience and are extremely motivated to use the technical knowledge that they had to tackle some real-world problems," she said. "And we have the support and technical knowledge of our professors here as well."

In addition to providing real-world experience for students, Rose-Hulman said the Design Clinic also serves as a talent pipeline for companies by giving them the chance to work with potential future employees.

"This is almost like a long interview," Sangelkar said. "You get to see them in a different environment and tackling the problems in real life, and I think that's the biggest benefit. I've taught it in different schools as well, and I've seen my students getting hired by the company that they work for and doing great things, even after."

The projects will begin each fall and continue through the academic year. Rose-Hulman is encouraging businesses interested in sponsoring a Design Clinic project to reach out to the school now. You can find more information on the Design Clinic by clicking here.

 This article was originally published by Inside INdiana Business. Click here to read the original article.

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Across Indiana, our universities are fostering the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators who are shaping our state's future. In collaboration with our university partners, CICP is excited to share and amplify those stories; which highlight students, faculty, and alumni who are turning ideas into action. By celebrating these efforts, we aim to strengthen the connections between higher education, industry, and community, and to shine a light on the innovation happening throughout our state. Click here to learn more about this initiative.