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December 23, 2024 (East Hartford, Connecticut) – The Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT) is excited to announce the launch of its Faculty Fellowship Program in Digital Transformation, set to begin this spring with a kickoff date of January 17. This innovative program is designed to immerse nine college and university faculty members in advanced manufacturing technologies and Industry 4.0 practices, with the goal of enhancing the integration of state-of-the-art methods, practices, and tools currently used in industry into Connecticut classrooms.
Paul Lavoie, Connecticut’s Chief Manufacturing Officer, expressed his enthusiasm for the program, stating, “The Office of Manufacturing and the Manufacturing Innovation Fund are focused on accelerating the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies, with a focus on digital transformation, additive manufacturing, robotics, industrial automation, and artificial intelligence. The Faculty Fellowship program will provide our university professors with a robust knowledge of these technologies that they can integrate into their curriculum, leading to a better-educated workforce in Connecticut.”
Dr. Amy Thompson, Chief Talent and Training Officer shares the value of the program for faculty members. “Through CCAT’s Talent and Training Accelerator, fellows will explore how applications of key Industry 4.0 technologies can assist businesses in becoming more operationally efficient and in reducing product lead times for delivery to customers. In this collaborative setting, fellows will experience firsthand current manufacturing technology capabilities on the shop floor and understand the business value of technology adoption. I’m excited to announce our first inaugural class of faculty fellows: Dr. Farhad Imani, University of Connecticut, Assistant Professor of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Manufacturing Engineering; Dr. Haoyu Wang, Central Connecticut State University, Professor of Robotics and Mechatronics; Dr. John Reap, Quinnipiac University, Professor of Mechanical Engineering; Dr. Junling Hu, University of Bridgeport, Professor and Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering; Dr. NadiyeErdil, University of New Haven, Associate Professor of Industrial & Systems Engineering, Engineering Management; Dr. Narendra Sharma, Connecticut State Community College (Naugatuck Valley), Professor/Program Coordinator; Dr. Naser Haghbin, Fairfield University, Director & Assistant Professor of Practice of Mechanical Engineering; Dr. Tolga Kaya, Sacred Heart University, Director & Professor of Engineering; and Johanna Raphael, University of Hartford, Program Director for Electromechanical Engineering Technology.”
As part of the Faculty Fellowship Program, fellows will participate in Industry 4.0 technology training and then incorporate those methods and practices in unique and creative ways back into the curriculum at their institutions. Fellows will participate in curriculum development workshops to assist and support this effort.
“At CCAT, developing and training talent is not just a priority; it’s the cornerstone of our mission. By collaborating with this year’s Fellowship participants, we are enhancing their expertise to shape curriculum and elevate the next generation of digitally ready talent, ensuring they are skilled in the latest technology and are fully equipped to meet the demands of the ever-evolving future of manufacturing,” said Ron Angelo, President and CEO of CCAT.
For more information about the Faculty Fellowship Program in Digital Transformation, please visit www.ccat.us/training or contact us at CCAT’s Talent & Training Accelerator at tnt@ccat.us.
