Set sail from the Old Sea? Naval architecture education in the wave of new generation learning

Naval Architecture, better understood as shipbuilding engineering, is a form of technology since the ancient time. The science of shipbuilding mainly involves with ship hull shape and structural design until the 19 th century when machines begin to power ships. Today, the curriculum in authors' department still focuses largely on mathematics and mechanics. Students' motivation to learn is low and the discipline seems to be trailing behind the new wave of cyber-centred technology. To encourage naval architecture students to think creatively and act innovatively is very challenging because shipbuilding looks like a traditional heavy industry. To help the students to establish a good foundation for future development in the new digital oriented technology and to utilize them in shipbuilding industry, authors introduced new teaching approaches in courses of 'Engineering Software', 'Data Acquisition and Analysis' and 'Fundamental Maritime Engineering'. Students were introduced to software similar to the commercial software used in the trade. They gained hands-on experience and continue to build the capacity with the software. The tasks in the classes were intentionally designed to be a combination of achievable simple ones and real-world complex problems. Students were guided to learn and use digital tools in conjunction with fundamental science, they showed confidence in acquiring a more holistic understanding which combines large complicated physical objects (like ships) and cyber possibilities. For the shipbuilding industry to evolve with the 4th industrial revolution, engineers who can use new digital technology on cumbersome objects are needed. A task-based learning with carefully chosen software in universities can be helpful.