Sacred Heart University’s engineering students will soon be experts on the advanced technological tools being used in manufacturing around the country, making them even more qualified to excel in the industry if that is where their paths take them.
Tolga Kaya, a Sacred Heart University (SHU) professor in the School of Computer Science & Engineering and director of SHU’s engineering program, is part of a group that is leading efforts to merge evolving industry technology with what is being taught in college and university classrooms. Selected for a Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT) fellowship, he has positioned himself to teach students to use the latest technology in a modern manufacturing world.
The CCAT’s Faculty Fellowship Program in Digital Transformation will enable Kaya and SHU students to explore an array of new possibilities and learning experiences. “With this fellowship, I will bring cutting-edge practices and tools into the classroom,” Kaya said. “I will connect my students with the latest manufacturing concepts, along with the industry collaborations I build throughout the fellowship.
“In addition to reaching current students, I hope to create lasting curriculum improvements, certification programs and industry collaborations that will continue to benefit future cohorts and strengthen the bridge between education and industry,” he added.
The fellowship began Jan. 17 and includes representatives from nine Connecticut colleges and universities. The innovative program is designed to immerse faculty members in advanced manufacturing technologies and Industry 4.0 practices — a phase in manufacturing that uses digital technologies and more efficient processes — with the goal of integrating these state-of-the-art industry methods, practices and tools into Connecticut classrooms.
Fellows will participate in Industry 4.0 technology training and then incorporate those methods and practices into the curriculum at their institutions. They also will participate in curriculum development workshops.
Ron Angelo, CCAT president and CEO, stressed the importance of the fellowship in today’s engineering landscape. “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,” he said.
In a CCAT press release, Paul Lavoie, Connecticut’s chief manufacturing officer, said the Connecticut Office of Manufacturing aims to accelerate the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies, with a focus on digital transformation, 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,” Lavoie said.
Kaya was in his classroom when he learned he’d been named one of the fellows, and he immediately began thinking about the projects and partnerships the venture might create for SHU students. “Receiving the fellowship is an incredible honor,” he said. “When I found out, I felt a mix of pride and excitement, not just for myself, but for the opportunities this creates for my students and colleagues.” As the second-largest Catholic university in New England, and one of the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century.
