Source: University at Buffalo
Students returning to the University at Buffalo (UB) this fall are poised to benefit from an innovative public and private workforce development collaboration thanks to the Siemens Digital Industries Software Academic Program, which will provide the university an in-kind software grant of tools for computer-aided design, simulation, manufacturing planning, robotics, product lifecycle management, and more. Siemens will also provide expertise to help shape corresponding curriculum to best prepare UB students for high-demand roles in the industrial sector.
Through this partnership, UB students from the school of engineering and applied sciences, school of management, and the school of architecture and planning will emerge with in-depth, working knowledge of the latest software tools being used by industrial companies, best preparing them for highly skilled positions that companies in Western New York, the broader New York region, and beyond are looking to fill.
“We are immensely grateful to Siemens for this generous and impactful gift to our university community,” said UB president Satish K. Tripathi. “As we prepare our students to lead in the 21st century, our collaboration with Siemens will enhance our students’ competitiveness and equip them with cutting-edge knowledge and skills, enabling them to meaningfully serve industries and communities across the region, the state and the world. The University at Buffalo is committed to contributing to the economic development and vibrancy of our region and beyond, and we deeply appreciate that Siemens—as demonstrated by this important partnership—shares in that commitment.”
A. Scott Weber, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at UB, added: “At UB, we provide outstanding educational experiences for our students. This grant will provide students with access to industry-leading software tools that are used by manufacturing and industrial companies around the world, enabling students to immediately take their knowledge from theory to practice, furthering their skills and preparing them for future success.”
Barbara Humpton, CEO of Siemens USA, said: “Siemens strongly believes that partnering across the educational ecosystem is critical to best prepare a future workforce, and we’re excited to expand our efforts in the New York region by making this grant to University at Buffalo that will help ensure companies here in Buffalo and around the world have access to a diverse and incredibly skilled talent pool.”
Del Costy, senior vice president of Siemens Digital Industries Software, added: “We are seeing a true shift change across the manufacturing sector where companies are embracing digital tools to scale, innovate and compete on a global stage. But these tools are only as powerful as the people behind them, so it continues to be our mission to best prepare the next generation of individuals who will propel manufacturing even further into the future.”
The manufacturing software tools are already in use by several Western New York companies that boast a large number of UB graduates in their workforces. These companies include local innovators like Moog Inc., a 65-year-old Buffalo area design, manufacturer and integrator of precision control component and systems for aerospace, defense, industrial and medical applications. Moog Inc., a long-time Siemens Digital Industries software suite partner, will benefit from the new Siemens and UB venture to help ensure a consistent pipeline of talent to strengthen its footprint.
“As a world leader in developing motion controls for mission-critical applications, Moog understands the important role that cutting-edge engineering tools play in development and production processes,” said George Small, Moog’s chief technology officer and a UB graduate. “We have 20 years of experience leveraging Siemens tools in providing solutions to our customers’ most complex technical challenges. And as a longtime partner with UB, we appreciate the value of Siemens grant and the positive impact it will have both now and in the future.”
Kemper Lewis, dean and Moog professor of innovation in UB’s school of engineering and applied sciences, added: “We value the partnerships of forward-looking companies like Siemens and Moog. That companies of this caliber recognize the benefits of collaborating with our students and faculty to drive workforce innovation is an honor and a tribute to the talented and driven faculty and students in our UB community.”
This grant to UB is one of more than 1,000 partnerships in the Siemens Digital Industries Software Academic Partner Program, an initiative built to empower the next generation of digital talent. The grant also supports the university’s comprehensive Boldly Buffalo campaign, which is seeking to raise $1 billion to support UB’s students, enhance and enable faculty research, and improve outcomes around the world.
The partnership is also the latest in a long-standing collaboration between Siemens and the State University of New York statewide SUNY network, where faculty and researchers have been working with Siemens experts on topics including the clean energy, workforce, smart and connected cities, and building a STEM ecosystem. For example, SUNY Corning Community College has partnered with Siemens to establish the College’s STEAM Innovation Center, where state-of-the-art equipment will allow the college to explore and expand public-private partnerships with local employers to meet their workforce needs, as well as implement a campus-wide effort to reduce the college's carbon footprint, improve energy efficiency and raise student awareness about the importance of environmental sustainability.
