NEWS BRIEFS
Rolla, MO. — The University of Missouri-Rolla (UMR) will join an elite list of universities in the U.S., Mexico and Canada benefiting from a donation of leading-edge technology that will help prepare students for careers in engineering and manufacturing.
General Motors Corp., Unigraphics Solutions, Sun Microsystems and EDS teamed up to make the donation of computer-aided design, manufacturing, and engineering (CAD/CAM/CAE) software, hardware and training to UMR, a donation valued at $69 million. The corporate alliance initiative, entitled Partners for the Advancement of CAD/CAM/CAE Education (PACE), was formed in 1999 to help provide future engineers from key institutions the education and experience recruited by each of the partnering corporations.
“We’re very happy to be selected by PACE for this program and thankful for the long-term, mutually beneficial relationships we’ve developed with all the PACE partners,” said UMR Chancellor Gary Thomas. “This significant gift of computer hardware and software, as well as the training and technical support to operate those systems, will help to ensure that the university maintains its leadership position in the areas of manufacturing engineering and design engineering.”
UMR is the fifth university to receive a PACE donation. Strategically selected universities are invited to participate in the program based on their ability to meet specific criteria, including:
— a long-term relationship with GM as a primary educational partner;
— a strong product development and manufacturing curricula;
— an adequate infrastructure of facilities, maintenance systems and personnel to support the donated hardware and software;
— a willingness to integrate Unigraphics software into the engineering curricula;
— dedication to providing distance learning to students at GM facilities around the globe.
“The University of Missouri-Rolla is one of the nation’s renowned engineering schools, and this PACE donation of cutting-edge computer software, hardware and training will only expand and enhance UMR’s mission and reputation,” said Missouri Governor Mel Carnahan. “I applaud these corporations for partnering with UMR and for their generosity on behalf of students preparing for vitally important careers in engineering and manufacturing.”
PACE creates networks for research, curriculum development, textbook development and other forms of collaboration between GM, Unigraphics Solutions, Sun Microsystems, EDS and academia. PACE has made donations to universities in the U.S. and Mexico including: Michigan Technological University, Michigan State University, Instituto Poletecnico Nacional (Ticoman, Mexico), and the Instituto de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (Toluca, Mexico). The total value of these donations to date is $193 million.
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