Closing the gap in engineering education: A positive psychology approach to CDIO

University engineering education aims to equip students with the technical and employability skills sought by employers. This often requires resilience, teamwork, and adaptability to succeed in collaborative, real-world projects. The CDIO (Conceive-Design-Implement-Operate) framework provides a solid foundation for fostering these competencies. However, student well-being and engagement remain underexplored and pedagogically underdeveloped within engineering curricula. This paper introduces the "Together Empowered" project, a Royal Academy of Engineering-funded initiative addressing equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) challenges in engineering education through Positive Psychology Interventions (PPIs). The project integrates workshops, mentorship, and real-world problem-solving to enhance the psychological and professional competencies of students from diverse backgrounds. A five-phase implementation process was adopted, including EDI awareness training, industry collaboration, structured positive psychology activities, and evaluations using qualitative and quantitative methods. Findings demonstrated significant improvements in student well-being across the PERMA dimensions (positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment), with a 30% increase in positive emotions and substantial gains in engagement and relationships between the start and end of the module. Students also reported improved communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills. Additionally, the project fostered a stronger sense of belonging and cultural sensitivity, supporting retention and progression within engineering degree programs. The integration of PPIs and EDI principles within the CDIO framework not only enhanced academic outcomes but also bridged the gap between academia and industry. The paper concludes by discussing the broader implications of these findings for creating inclusive, supportive learning environments that prepare students to contribute meaningfully to society and achieve sustainable career success in engineering.

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