The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) has entered into a strategic partnership with the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation and Integration Center (AMIIC), a Huntsville-based nonprofit dedicated to advancing manufacturing technologies.

The memorandum of understanding, signed on Sept. 16 at UAH’s Shelby Center for Science and Technology, grants UAH students access to AMIIC’s state-of-the-art laboratory space and advanced manufacturing equipment.

“This partnership creates valuable new training opportunities for our students while benefiting the broader community,” said Dr. David A. Puleo, UAH’s Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs. “UAH is focused on evolving its curriculum to ensure our students are prepared for the future. Through this collaboration, our students will be trained on the latest technologies before they even graduate, giving them a competitive edge in fields like applied engineering and advanced manufacturing.”

This partnership will particularly benefit UAH’s Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology (BSET) program, which launched in fall 2022 to address the growing demand for skilled workers in sectors like aerospace, automotive, and advanced materials manufacturing.

The program focuses on providing students with hands-on training in modern technologies.

John Schmitt, Executive Director of AMIIC, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership.

“We are excited to welcome UAH students into our facilities and collaborate with a university known for attracting top talent in the Southeast. AMIIC is committed to accelerating the adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies, and it starts with developing a highly skilled workforce,” said Schmitt.