Industry Education Partnership: Mechatronics Engineering Technology Program Development
- Conference
- Location
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Vancouver, BC
- Publication Date
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June 26, 2011
- Start Date
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June 26, 2011
- End Date
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June 29, 2011
- ISSN
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2153-5965
- Conference Session
- Tagged Division
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Engineering Technology
- Page Count
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9
- Page Numbers
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22.864.1 - 22.864.9
- DOI
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10.18260/1-2--18148
- Permanent URL
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https://peer.asee.org/18148
- Download Count
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375
Paper Authors
Niaz Latif Purdue University, Calumet
Dr. Niaz Latif is the Dean of the School of Technology at Purdue University, Calumet (PUC). He is also the Interim Associate Vice Chancellor of Research and Graduate Studies at PUC. Dr. Latif served as an Assistant Dean for Statewide Technology Administration in the College of Technology at Purdue University, West Lafayette, before joining Purdue University, Calumet on July 1, 2007. He is the Principal Investigator of the 2010 NSF-ATE grant, “Meeting workforce needs of Mechatronics Technicians.”
Mr. Nick Wilson is the founder and President of Morrison Container Handling Solutions. With a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, an MBA in accounting, and professional experience as an engineer to guide him, Mr. Wilson set about building the best container handling products on the market. Morrison Container Handling Solutions, a leading manufacturer of timing screws and change parts for the packaging industry, He serves on the advisory council of the Purdue Technology Center of Northwest Indiana, in Crown Pointe, Indiana. He serves as the Chairman on the Board of Directors of PMMI (Packaging Machinery Manufacturer Institute).
Nick L. Wilson Morrison Container Handling Solutions
Abstract
Industry Education Partnership: Mechatronics Engineering Technology program developmentAbstract A new BS degree program in Mechatronics Engineering Technology had been conceived,developed and implemented at Purdue University Calumet. Prompted by an industrial need fortrained technologists to design, build and service the type of complex, high speed machineryused in the package industry, Purdue Calumet introduced its mechatronics engineeringtechnology baccalaureate degree program two years ago. The program combines instruction inelectrical control and mechanical design and provides students with exposure to programmablelogic controllers (PLCs), conveyor systems, machine vision and servo motors, as well as othertechnologies and various industry standards with primary focus on packaging machinerytechnology. In past two years, successful implementation of the program is evidenced throughenrollment growth and, receiving of two National Science Foundation (NSF) grants, “AMechatronics Curriculum and Packaging Automation Laboratory Facility,” and “MeetingWorkforce Needs for Mechatronics Technicians”.” The program established a knowledge andresource center to address the needs of the packaging machinery industry and theMechatronics Engineering Technology program through learning, engagement, and discoveryactivities. An endowment has also been established to support the center. The industry andeducation partnership resulted in establishment of a state-of-the-art laboratory for theprogram and, opportunity for paid internship for all students in the program. This paper provides a chronicle of the program development and implementationfocusing on the active participation of industry partners and, the nature of industry-educationpartnership for long term sustainability of the program. This paper also provides specificexamples on how industry-education partnership can be leveraged in securing resources at thelocal, regional and national levels to support and sustain the program.
Latif, N., & Wilson, N. L. (2011, June), Industry Education Partnership: Mechatronics Engineering Technology Program Development Paper presented at 2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Vancouver, BC. 10.18260/1-2--18148
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