Improving teaching and learning process by applying Lean thinking

Lean principles have been widely used in manufacturing industries with less interest by practitioners to transfer Lean thinking to educational sector. The aim of present paper is to emphasize the importance of applying Lean principles in Higher education institutions. Removing waste in organizing, preparing and performing teaching process in the laboratory environment by adding value to student learning was presented using 5S methodology. The results show improvements in storage space, transportation facilities and workplaces for simulating production of a water pump in the laboratory. Researchers who are willing to improve their activities within the laboratory and teaching process can simply follow the steps presented in this paper and thus make research and educational work more efficient and effective. Lean within an educational sector can benefit both the University personnel and the student learning process.