As part of its efforts to further develop project-based education, Széchenyi István University successfully piloted a new electronics curriculum with its vehicle engineering students. Based on the positive experiences, the University has begun preparations to introduce the programme as an elective course within its undergraduate programmes in the future.

In modern engineering education, it is now essential for students to acquire at least a fundamental understanding of disciplines beyond their own specialisation. For automotive engineers, for example, knowledge of electronics and programming is becoming increasingly important. Széchenyi István University supports this through project-based initiatives that enable students to gain practical experience by working on real-world challenges. One such initiative was the Crystal-Clear Electronics programme, a freely available educational resource developed by Phiaro Technologies Ltd with funding from the European Union and recently piloted by the Department of Whole Vehicle Development.

The company spent several years developing the learning materials in cooperation with secondary schools and industry professionals, with the aim of ensuring that learners acquire the fundamentals of electronics through both theory and practical application. Participants learn through detailed written materials, videos and practical assignments, ultimately gaining the ability to build and test electronic circuits independently.

Full-time students and instructors participating in the “Crystal-Clear Electronics” pilot programme. From left to right: Dávid Kiss, engineer of the Department, Zoltán Kovács, Sámuel Barcza, Associate Professor Dr Ambrus Zelei and Máté Zrínyi.

According to Dr Ambrus Zelei, Associate Professor at the Department, ten students, divided into three teams, took part in the pilot course. Their task was not only to acquire the knowledge provided by the programme but also to evaluate the pilot project from the perspective of its suitability for a university environment. Working independently, while receiving guidance during consultations with instructors, the students built electronic circuits, carried out measurements and programmed microcontrollers.

One of the part-time student teams participating in the pilot programme. From left to right: Róbert Patikás, Gábor Orosz, Szabolcs Bodnár and Zsombor Gazdag.

“The participants acquired knowledge that will be valuable both in their future studies and professional careers. Student feedback was also highly positive, which reinforced our belief that the course would be a valuable addition to the curriculum,” emphasised Dr Ambrus Zelei.

The second part-time student team involved in the experimental course. From left to right: Dániel Talon and Levente Tóth. The team also included Armand Varga, who was unable to attend the photo session.

The company’s Managing Director, Gergely Lágler, began his career in the Formula Student community and has maintained close ties with Széchenyi István University for many years. It was through this existing professional relationship that the idea emerged to test the curriculum with the University’s automotive engineering students. “It is in the interest of both higher education institutions and industry that engineering graduates possess practical experience in addition to theoretical knowledge. We worked on this curriculum for years before making it freely available to everyone. We wanted to give something back to society and contribute to helping young people enter the labour market better prepared. Practical skills represent real value even at the beginning of a career. During a job interview, it can make a significant difference if a candidate not only understands electronics in theory but also has hands-on experience. Such experience can greatly facilitate integration into a development team,” said Gergely Lágler.

The Crystal-Clear Electronics programme and its freely accessible learning materials are available at the following websites:

https://crystalclearelectronics.eu/hu/projekt

https://crystalclearelectronics2.eu/hu/projekt