Student Research Project Presentation at May 2024 College of Technology Meeting

Left to right: Previous ASML employee Marc Cacioppo and MET² students: Kaiden Esteves, Central Connecticut State University; Diego Angeles, CT State Manchester; Alissa Pace, CT State Manchester; and Anthony Sihaphong, University of New Haven.

The National Science Foundation funded the National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing (NCNGM) supported Connecticut College of Technology (COT) Site Coordinators Meeting on May 29th, 2024. This final 2023-2024 academic year meeting was a significant event that brought together key stakeholders of the Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering Technologies (MET²) Program. Dr. Karen Wosczyna-Birch, the Executive Director of COT and Executive Director & PI of NCNGM opened the meeting with welcoming remarks, setting the tone for a day filled with insightful discussions and presentations.

The gathering provided a platform for networking among industry professionals, educators, and students involved in the MET² Program. The event featured engaging student presentations, showcasing the innovative projects and research conducted throughout the academic year. These presentations highlighted the practical application of knowledge and skills gained through the program, emphasizing the importance of hands-on, industry-driven learning experiences.

One of the highlights of the meeting was a presentation by Amy Thompson, Chief Talent & Training Officer at the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT), who introduced the new Faculty Fellowship for Incorporating Industry 4.0 & Model-Based Design (MBD) Practices into Curriculum. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry, ensuring students are equipped with the latest tools and practices relevant to the evolving manufacturing landscape.

Furthermore, John Birch, CEO of The Birch Group, and Eric Flynn, a CT State Community College Gateway professor, provided an overview of the MET² Program. They emphasized the program's collaborative nature, which brings together students and faculty from different institutions to tackle real-world challenges. The MET² Program's emphasis on interdisciplinary teamwork and practical problem-solving skills prepares students for success in the industry.

The meeting concluded with Dr. Karen Wosczyna-Birch outlining the upcoming initiatives and activities planned by COT and NCNGM, underscoring the commitment to advancing manufacturing education and research. The following networking lunch allowed participants to forge new connections and explore potential collaborations, further enriching the collaborative spirit of the event.

In closing, the success of the 2023-2024 academic year was celebrated, acknowledging the hard work and dedication of students, faculty, and partners involved in the MET² Program. The meeting served as a testament to the importance of industry-academia partnerships in driving innovation and excellence in manufacturing education. This article was originally posted on May 31, 2024, via the National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing (from the deactivated previous website) with permission to repost. Please also visit nextgenmfg.org for more information and updates.