Opportunities and challenges of 3D printing integration into engineering education in developing countries

Abstract

3D printing (3DP) has emerged as a disruptive manufacturing technology that benefits both the manufacturing and educational sectors. The emergence of low-cost and affordable 3D printers has facilitated the widespread use of 3DP technology, particularly in higher education institutions (HEIs) in developing countries. Despite its promising benefits, 3DP is still poorly adopted in developing countries. While research has explored the use and adoption of 3DP in education within developed nations, little research has been conducted on the integration of 3DP to capitalize on its benefits in developing countries. Therefore, in this study, we aim to investigate the perspectives of students and faculty members in higher education (HE) regarding 3DP integration in the classroom. A survey was conducted with 307 participants (272 students and 35 faculty members) at 12 Vietnamese universities where 3DP education is offered. We found that a misaligned curriculum, lack of training for faculty members, the high cost of materials and equipment, English language barriers, and limited student exposure to 3DP technology were significant obstacles to 3DP education. Several recommendations have been provided to address these challenges; for instance, faculty members and industry professionals need collaboration to ensure that the curriculum is current and that faculty members receive adequate training to teach 3DP effectively. This study provides guidelines for faculty members and policymakers to reinforce 3DP education for sustainable development in developing countries.

Keywords

• 3d printing
• higher education
• sustainable development
• additive manufacturing
• developing country
• engineering education