There might be a lot that human beings can do well, but at the same time, there is nothing we do better than growing on a consistent basis. This tendency to improve, no matter the situation, has fetched us some huge milestones, with technology emerging as quite a major member of the stated group. The reason why we hold technology in such a high regard is, by and large, centered upon its skill-set, which realized all the possibilities for us that we couldn’t have imagined otherwise. Nevertheless, if we look beyond the surface for a second, it will become clear how the whole runner was also inspired from the way we applied those skills across a real world environment. The latter component, in fact, did a lot to give the creation a spectrum-wide presence and start what was a full-blown tech revolution. Of course, this revolution then went on to scale up the human experience from every conceivable direction, but even after achieving a feat so notable, technology will somehow keep on bringing out the right goods. The same has turned more and more in recent times, and assuming a newly-launched program works out just like we envision, it will only transform that trend into much bigger of a deal moving forward.

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) has officially launched a new degree, which is designed to bolster the manufacturing engineering knowhow in students. As per certain reports, the students who pursue this degree can develop all the skills that are necessary for someone looking to design, analyze and modify different manufacturing procedures and systems. Apart from it, the students here will also be provided extensive education on how they can maintain an optimal level of safety and product quality throughout the relevant production cycle, while simultaneously practicing an environment-friendly approach. But what are some of the specific areas that the course will focus on? Well, it is expected to deliver comprehensive expertise and practical knowledge across disciplines like manufacturing materials and processes, design for manufacturability, lean manufacturing, quality and process control, automation, robotics, and a lot more. Interestingly enough, instead of banking on just the primary coursework, the program will also provide you with an industry perspective on stuff like development and operation. This, in particular, is being facilitated through a dedicated Engineering Advisory Council, which includes engineers and managers from companies such as Lockheed Martin, Valvoline, Alltech, Hyster-Yale, Corning/Gorilla Glass, Lexmark, and Carharrt. Beyond these experts, the new program will even draw upon EKU’s STEM Center for Excellence to assist students around areas of math and science.

“The manufacturing engineering degree builds upon a strong foundation of STEM education, which we do exceptionally well at EKU,” said Dr. Tom Otieno, dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). “Our state-of-the-art facilities, cutting-edge learning resources, expert faculty and already robust manufacturing technology program ensure students in the manufacturing engineering program will have the necessary knowledge and hands-on experience to be competitive and excel in this high-growth field.”

The launch of this program follows up on an analysis done by the Council on Postsecondary Education, an analysis that indicated a need in Kentucky to graduate manufacturing engineers and provide talent for the continued growth of manufacturing companies. This gap is validated through a different American Society for Engineering Education report, which claimed Kentucky graduates fewer bachelor’s degree engineers per capita than any of the adjacent states. Hence, by applying a granular-level focus to field of manufacturing, the new program will aim at closing that gap sooner rather than later.

“As manufacturing becomes more and more critical to Kentucky’s economic future, EKU’s new manufacturing engineering curriculum will be an essential part of our economy of tomorrow,” said Frank Jemley, president and CEO of the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers. “We applaud EKU’s foresight in establishing this cutting-edge degree program. It will play a key role in growing more high-wage manufacturing jobs as Kentucky increasingly becomes a state of choice for American and international companies to make world-class products.”