Industry partnerships with university engineering and technology programs; A mutually beneficial relationship

The authors discuss several instances of successful involvement of industries with engineering and technology programs. Both the business and school's positive outcomes from the liaison are reviewed. In addition, the element of publicity generated by university & business partnerships is addressed. The authors teach at a remote site for Purdue University within the Purdue Statewide Technology system; this situation makes the programs less visible to the public and local industry thereby providing special challenges. The authors describe their methodology for gaining sponsorship for various programs at their site and discuss the advantages of that industry involvement to the student, academic program and the industrial sponsor.