Using industry-university partnerships for MOT educational enhancement

Summary form only given. The three state universities in Arizona (Arizona State University, University of Arizona, Northern Arizona University) and six of the largest, high tech companies (AlliedSignal, Boeing, IBM, Intel, Raytheon and Motorola) have completed a Technology Reinvestment Program (NSF Award 3518) project know initially as JACMET (Joint Arizona Center for Manufacturing Education and Training). It has now been officially established by the universities and industry sponsors as a self-supporting organization known as JACME2T (Joint Arizona Consortium-Manufacturing and Engineering Education for Tomorrow). One of the most important educational needs area identified in the first phase of our project was IPPD-Integrated Product and Process Development. We have been able to forge a special academic-industry partnership that is now a permanent, self-supporting organization responsive to industry's clearly stated needs but with appropriate academic rigor and standards. We expect these activities to expand into other MOT related areas in the future.