Dr. Ron Ulseth, Founding co-Director of Iron Range Engineering (IRE) programme in Minnesota, USA, shares the story of IRE. Similar to NMITE, IRE programme utilises Problem Based Delivery approach and prepares students for real-world engineering challenges. This shows how models like that of NMITE and IRE may be effectively implemented globally.
Iron Range Engineering (IRE) is redefining how engineers are educated. Our work-based learning model equally emphasizes technical mastery, professional development, and innovative design—creating engineers who are not only technically competent but also industry-ready from day one. Through individual mentoring, flexible pathways, and a strong sense of community, we prepare students for real-world engineering challenges in a way that traditional programs often fail to do.
The Origins of Iron Range Engineering
The IRE story began in northern Minnesota, where a pre-engineering program at a two-year community college (formerly Itasca Community College, now Minnesota North College) laid the foundation. Faculty there saw a gap between traditional engineering education and industry needs. They noticed that students who transferred to complete their bachelor’s degrees often faced rigid lecture-based learning, excessive problem sets, and an overwhelming focus on calculations rather than conceptual understanding. Professional skills, critical thinking, and hands-on design experience were often sidelined until a final-year capstone project.
Determined to do better, the founders envisioned an engineering education that integrated design into every semester, emphasized both conceptual and calculational knowledge, and provided students with the professional skills they’d need in the workforce. In 2009, with support from a regional economic development organization, they created the IRE project-based learning (PBL) model, drawing inspiration from Aalborg University in Denmark. The impact was immediate—IRE earned ABET accreditation in 2012, received the ABET Innovation Award in 2017 and was recognized as a Top-10 emerging leader in engineering education in an MIT study by Ruth Graham (2018).
From Campus to Industry: A Work-Based Learning Revolution
By 2018, IRE took another bold step. While industry-sponsored projects in student teams were valuable, the founders believed the ultimate engineering education should happen in industry itself. Inspired by Charles Sturt University’s work-based learning model in Australia, they developed a nationwide cooperative engineering program where students spend the final two years of their degree working full-time in industry while continuing their education remotely.
This model, offered through Minnesota State University, Mankato’s IRE program, allows students to earn while they learn. With direct exposure to engineering practice, students develop their skills in real-world settings while receiving continuous academic and professional support from professors, learning coaches, and peers via digital communication.
A Student-Centered, Inclusive, and Sustainable Model
IRE isn’t just about transforming education—it’s about making it accessible, inclusive, and financially sustainable.
- Access & Diversity: The program is designed for community college graduates, creating opportunities for ethnically and gender-diverse students, as well as individuals who are place-bound due to family or financial constraints.
- Financial Sustainability: Because students are employed during their final two years, they can earn a salary while completing their degree, significantly reducing student debt.
- A Unique Pathway: Students enter IRE after completing lower-division coursework at community colleges across the U.S. They first complete a one-semester Bell Academy, a bridge program that refines their self-directed learning and professional skills. They work as unpaid engineering interns before transitioning to their first paid co-op placement. Competency-based assessment ensures they are ready for the industry.
How Learning Happens at IRE
Our model is built on mentorship, reflection, and peer learning:
- Professors (PhD-level engineers): Facilitate technical learning and conduct verbal exams.
- Industry Engineers (Facilitators): Serve as learning coaches, guiding students through professional development, design projects, and career growth.
- Structured Reflection & Feedback: Students keep reflection journals, receive personalized feedback, and engage in peer-to-peer support teams.
- A Strong Community: From open-door faculty offices to weekly engagement activities, IRE fosters a deep sense of belonging. The highlight of the year is EngFest!, an annual gathering where students return to Minnesota to showcase their learning and celebrate their achievements.
The Future of Engineering Education
At IRE, we believe in giving individuals the liberty to pursue their own path to engineering excellence. Our innovative approach is equipping the next generation of engineers with not just knowledge, but the confidence, experience, and adaptability to thrive in an evolving industry.
Ron Ulseth, PE, PhD
Director, Iron Range Engineering ron.ulseth@ire.minnstate.edu