Leading Engineering Students Towards Industry 4.0: Public Workshops for Digitalization, Lab Automation, and Modelling
Abstract
The increasing integration of computational tools in engineering workflows has led to a growing demand for graduates with medium to advanced programming skills. However, current engineering curricula often lack a structured approach to incorporate programming in education, leaving many students without the necessary computational literacy (Udugama et al., 2023). In response to this gap, the Dig4Bio project has hosted multiple public workshops and training schools, starting with topics like "Introduction to Python", "Model-based Techniques in Bioengineering", “Data Management”, “Open Science” and "Introduction to Electronic Lab Notebooks (ELNs) and Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)” (‘Dig4Bio’, 2025). These efforts have expanded to training schools covering mechanistic modelling of microbial cultivations and advanced digital tools like BioVL. (Gargalo et al., 2022). To assess the effectiveness of these initiatives, participant feedback was systematically collected and analyzed. Based on these evaluations, we propose a structured strategy for integrating programming courses into engineering education. Our approach focuses on designing course materials that maximize learning outcomes while maintaining student engagement. By aligning educational content with industry needs and student expectations, we aim to establish a foundation that ensures all engineering graduates acquire essential programming competencies.
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Motivation and Introduction Acknowledgements and References Outputs and Vision Concept and Results – Workshops & Training Schools Leading Engineering Students Towards Industry 4.0: Public Workshops for Digitalization, Lab Automation, and Modelling R. Haßfurthera, A. Kemmera, P. Neubauera,c , M. N. Cruz Bournazoua,b, C. L. Gargalod, K.V. Gernaeyd, D.M.F. Prazerese, A. Azevedoe a Technische Universität Berlin, Chair of Bioprocess Engineering, Ackerstraße 76, 13355 Berlin b DataHow AG, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1, 8093 Zurich c Enpresso GmbH, Frohnauer Str. 59, 13467 Berlin d Technical University of Denmark, PROSYS, Søltofts Plads, 228 A, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby e Instituto Superior Técnico,Universidade de Lisboa, iBB Group, Av. Rovisco Pais1049-001 Lisboa We gratefully acknowledge the financial support provided by HORIZON-WIDERA-2023-ACCESS-02 for the Dig4Bio project (project-ID 101159993). Further we acknowledge the support and contributions from our colleagues and members of the KIWI-Biolab that made this research possible. [1] Udugama, I.A. et al. (2023) ‘Digital tools in chemical engineering education: The needs and the desires’, Education for Chemical Engineers, 44, pp. 63–70. doi.org/10.1016/j.ece.2023.05.002. [2] ‘Dig4Bio’ (2025). Available at: https://dig4bio.eu/ (Accessed: 10 February 2025). [3] Gargalo, C.L. et al. (2022) ‘Educational Computer-Aided Tools Towards Industry 4.0: Recommendations and BioVL’, in Computer Aided Chemical Engineering. Elsevier, pp. 1273–1278. doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-85159-6.50212-8. [4] Caño De Las Heras, S., Gargalo, C. L., Weitze, C. L., Mansouri, S. S., Gernaey, K. V., & Krühne, U. (2021). A framework for the development of Pedagogical Process Simulators (P2Si) using explanatory models and gamification. Computers & Chemical Engineering, 151, 107350. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compchemeng.2021.107350 [5] Slide by Mads Stevnsborg, DTU [6] https://creativecommons.org/about/downloads/ (accessed on 25.08.2025) [7] Slide by Fiammetta Cacciavale, DTU [8] A. Fuller, Z. Fan, C. Day and C. Barlow, "Digital Twin: Enabling Technologies, Challenges and Open Research," in IEEE Access, vol. 8, pp. 108952-108971, 2020, doi: 10.1109/ACCESS.2020.2998358. •Very positive overall feedback; many participants stated they want to join Dig4Bio’s future workshops. •Workshop and training school content has now been included in IST courses. •Planned workshops - more info on the Dig4Bio website di4bio.eu Dig4Bio LinkedIn Page •Workshop “Design and Operation of Experiments in parallel systems” will take place on 01-02 October 2025 •Workshop “Introduction to computer-aided tools for process design” will take place on 23-26 February 2026 •The events teach fundamentals for digitalization in biomanufacturing often not covered by standard courses. Training school - Advanced use of BioVL and e-learning tools This training school covered virtual laboratories (VLs). VLs have increasingly become a common educational tool integrated into the curriculum in this new era marked by technological advances and flexible education. Workshop - Laboratory automation This virtual workshop aimed to provide a comprehensive overview on solutions for laboratory automation, including liquid handling sites for automated cultivations or analytics. Training school - Mechanistic modeling of microbial cultivations This hybrid training school aimed to explore the intricacies of mechanistic modelling for microbial cultivations using biological reaction rate models, including selecting an initial model structure and determining model parameter values using example datasets. Workshop - Research data management and open science This virtual workshop introduced tools to support the reproducibility and transfer of data, emphasizing the FAIR principles (findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable) for data and processes. It also covered the use of semantic process modelling. TS2: Advanced use of BioVL and e-learning tools TS3: Introduction to automated research WS1: Introduction to python WS2: Model-based techniques WS3: Laboratory automation WS4: Data management Plans WS5: Research data management and open science WS6: Introduction to ELNs and LIMS WS7: Introduction to computer aided tools for process design WS8: Design and Operation of Experiments in parallel Systems WS9: Consistent bioprocess development TS1: Mechanistic modeling of microbial cultivations Workshops and training schools Key learnings: •Introduction to simulation platform BioVL [3] •Hands-on experience with BioVL •Other tools and elearning platforms Take aways: •12 participants –Overall high satisfaction •Participants asked for more hands-on exercises Key learnings: •Introduction to robotic labs and automation software •Creating pipetting scripts in the Tecan liquid handling site Take aways: •11 participants – Overall high satisfaction •Applicability of the software and demonstration of examples, were highly valued Take aways: •12 participants – Overall high satisfaction •Participants found the scenarios for license usage and practical exercises, including small tasks, most useful. Key learnings: •FAIR principles and best practice for open access and data sharing •Tools for data reproducibility •Introduction to semantic process modeling Take aways: •28 participants – high Overall satisfaction •Practical examples and hands-on exercises were consistently highlighted as extremely useful. Key learnings: •Introduction to key growth phases and parameters, parameter estimation and sensitivity analysis [5] [6] [4] [8] The Digital Gap – Engineering increasingly relies on computational tools, yet curricula often lack structured approaches to build digital and programming literacy (1). Closing the Gap – The Dig4Bio project (Instituto Superior Técnico Lisbon, Technical University Berlin and Denmark‘s Technical University) responds with 22 months of workshops and training schools (2). A Digital Toolbox – These activities equip students and young researchers with essential digital skills that accelerate bioprocess development through systematic and model-based approaches. Lessons Learnt – Participant feedback is systematically collected and analyzed. Based on these findings, we propose a strategy for integrating programming and digital methods into engineering education in ways that align with both industry needs and student expectations. Visit lecture or poster presentations from other members of Dig4Bio at: •L. Möller‘s talk on V. natriegens potential for plasmid production - Tue 12.35 in Auditorium III •P1.001 - L. Gundersen – Poster on growth models for V. natriegens •Discussion on AI in Education led by F. Caccavale – Tue 10:35 in room 3.B •P4.049 - A. Santos – Poster on DNA-origami nanostructures •P2.016 - R. Hassfurther – Poster on Digitalization in Educationc