The paper is based on our academic teaching and research work in software and system engineering to effectively develop modern, complex real-life Web application systems. It bridges the gap between academic education and industry needs and illustrates how such collaboration can be successfully developed in the IT area where technology development is rapid. Its scope covers the processes, models, technologies, people, and knowledge that have the capability to contribute to developing such

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... . The paper also relates to contributions of some of Harlan D. Mills award recipients for software engineering achievement, to address the needs to: i) improve the engineering education in an academic setting, and ii) develop real-life software and system projects. Hybrid educational methods are applied for student learning that combine class room approach of teaching fundamental theoretical concepts and practice via real world complex projects embedding intelligence in software and systems products. System thinking demanded by modern design philosophies is applied to interlink products, software, and people. Student groups are developing their projects in an interactive and collaborative manner. Index Terms-software and system engineering education; software theories and methods; teaching and learning strategies; systems platforms and architectures; Web-based software; teamwork 42