Tag: engineering

Engineering Program Expands with UNO Partnership

Nicholls State University recently took a transformative step toward advancing its local engineering program by establishing the Wm. Clifford Smith School of Engineering. This initiative, made possible by a generous $1 million donation from the family of Clifford Smith, honors the deep-rooted legacy of Clifford Smith, a respected civil engineer and land surveyor. In partnership with the University of New Orleans (UNO), this new school will enable students to obtain a comprehensive engineering degree, combining advanced academic instruction and hands-on industry experience, right in the Bayou Region, as per this news article from The Nicholls Worth.

The development of the Wm. Clifford Smith School of Engineering aligns with Nicholls’ commitment to providing relevant, career-oriented education to its students and further enhances the region’s educational landscape. Through their partnership with UNO, Nicholls can offer students a streamlined pathway to earn an engineering degree without needing to relocate to other regions, addressing a longstanding challenge for aspiring engineers in the area.

At the core of Nicholls’ vision for the Wm. Clifford Smith School of Engineering is its partnership with the University of New Orleans. This collaboration allows students at Nicholls to pursue an engineering degree through the established program offered by UNO. By bridging academic offerings between the two institutions, students in the Bayou Regiongain access to specialized engineering education that aligns with the current demands of the industry. This partnership empowers students to stay rooted in their community while achieving their professional goals, making it an appealing option for many who may have otherwise faced challenges in obtaining a comprehensive engineering education locally.

Alongside the academic benefits, the new school of engineering at Nicholls also opens doors for meaningful industry experience. Students pursuing an engineering degree will have access to internships with a leading regional engineering firm, allowing them to gain valuable, hands-on knowledge. The internships provide students with the skills and experience essential to their careers and offer local businesses the opportunity to contribute to the next generation of engineers who may eventually strengthen the regional workforce.

Clifford Smith’s family played a pivotal role in the development of the new school, motivated by their desire to honor his contributions to the field and to the Bayou community. Clifford’s son, Kenneth Smith, recounted the profound impact his father had on both the engineering industry and the local community, noting that his father’s career began through his work alongside his own father, T. Baker Smith, at their family business. T. Baker Smith founded the self-named firm in 1913, and following his passing in 1962, the company leadership was entrusted to Clifford. Under Clifford’s guidance, the firm became a mainstay in the Bayou Region’s engineering landscape, gaining a reputation for excellence and integrity.

According to Kenneth, Clifford’s legacy as a civil engineer and land surveyor “left an indelible mark on our profession and community.” Over the years, the T. Baker Smith firm has hired numerous Nicholls graduates, creating a strong bond between the institution and the firm. Kenneth highlighted this connection, expressing that the quality of Nicholls graduates has always been a testament to the value of Nicholls’ educational impact and alignment with industry standards.

Nicholls State University President Jay Clune expressed deep gratitude for the support of the Smith family, noting that this “generous gift” is a tribute not only to Clifford Smith but also to the Bayou Region as a whole. Clune emphasized that Clifford Smith’s name symbolizes “high-quality engineering and land surveying” and his contributions have extended beyond Nicholls to positively influence the entire region.

As the program evolves, Nicholls anticipates that the Wm. Clifford Smith School of Engineering will become a cornerstone of regional engineering excellence. By fostering local talent and maintaining strong connections with regional firms, the school will contribute meaningfully to the Bayou Region’s industry and economy, offering both an academic and economic boost to the local community.

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Shaping the Bayou Region’s Future: Nicholls and UNO’s Engineering Partnership

In a significant step towards enhancing engineering education in Louisiana, Nicholls State University and the University of New Orleans (UNO) formalized an agreement to develop a comprehensive plan for offering UNO’s Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering on the Nicholls campus, as per this news release from Nicholls. This partnership aims to align the engineering curriculum with local industry needs, preparing students for the demands of the regional workforce.

Nicholls State University has long recognized a trend where many students from its region have opted to leave the area to pursue engineering degrees at other institutions. By joining forces with UNO, Nicholls aims to retain these students, leveraging local resources to meet the growing demand for engineering professionals. This collaboration is expected to significantly bolster the engineering workforce in the region by creating specialized academic programs that cater to the specific needs of local industries.

Jay Clune, the President of Nicholls State University, emphasized the importance of this initiative. He stated that Nicholls acknowledges the regional necessity for engineering professionals and related disciplines to support the workforce. He noted that such partnerships not only strengthen the bonds with UNO, a sister institution but also reinforce Nicholls’ commitment to the region it serves.

Lizette Chevalier, dean of UNO’s Dr. Robert A. Savoie College of Engineering, echoed these sentiments. She viewed this collaboration as a strategic opportunity to expand UNO’s mechanical engineering program while simultaneously addressing workforce development and economic growth in the Bayou Region. Chevalier pointed out that Nicholls already had a robust pre-engineering program and established connections with the regional engineering community, making this partnership a logical step forward.

The partnership plan includes offering up to six semesters of coursework relevant to UNO’s Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering through Nicholls State University. Additionally, the agreement outlines a clear pathway for the transfer of coursework between the two universities. This streamlined process ensures that students can transition smoothly from Nicholls to UNO, without losing any academic credits.

Both institutions committed to providing comprehensive student support services, including advising and counseling, professional development opportunities, and connections to industry professionals. Faculty members from both campuses would collaborate on research and service projects, involving students and enhancing their understanding of real-world engineering challenges.

This new initiative builds on an existing agreement between Nicholls and UNO, established in 2019. The earlier agreement allowed Nicholls pre-engineering students to transfer seamlessly to UNO to complete their engineering studies. Under this arrangement, students from Nicholls could enter UNO as juniors and pursue any of the university’s undergraduate engineering programs.

By expanding this collaborative framework, Nicholls and UNO aim to create a more integrated and supportive educational environment for engineering students in Louisiana. The initiative is expected to have a ripple effect on the local economy by producing a steady stream of highly skilled engineers ready to meet the demands of the industry.

The collaboration between Nicholls and UNO reflects a proactive approach to addressing these challenges. By pooling their resources and expertise, the two universities are better positioned to provide high-quality engineering education that is both relevant and accessible to students in the Bayou Region. This partnership serves as a model for other institutions looking to enhance their academic offerings and support regional workforce development.

In conclusion, the partnership between Nicholls State University and the University of New Orleans marks a significant milestone in the development of engineering education in Louisiana. By working together, these institutions are not only addressing the immediate needs of their students but also contributing to the long-term economic growth of the region.

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Champions in Mechanical Engineering: UL Lafayette Students Excel at National Fluid Power Vehicle Final Challenge

In the realm of mechanical engineering, innovation, and competition go hand in hand. A shining example of this can be found in the remarkable achievements of a group of students from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. These students, namely Austin Sun Chee Fore, Brett Hildreth, Chase Jeansonne, and Michael Tonore, have etched their names in the annals of excellence by earning the grand championship at the prestigious 2023 Fluid Power Vehicle Final Challenge, according to this news release from ULL. Hosted by Danfoss Power Solutions in Ames, Iowa, this competition brought together brilliant minds from various universities to showcase their prowess in the field.

Now, you might be wondering, what exactly is fluid power? Well, it involves the transmission of power through the use of either liquid, known as hydraulics, or compressed air, known as pneumatics. The Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge, in which these talented students participated, provides a platform for students to delve deep into research, design, and the construction of vehicles that incorporate both hydraulics and pneumatics, along with components inspired by bicycles. These innovative vehicles are meticulously crafted to combine performance efficiency, speed, and power, leading to remarkable technological advancements.

The UL Lafayette team’s extraordinary performance did not stop at the grand championship. They triumphed in several other competition categories as well, showcasing their comprehensive expertise. They secured the first position in both the endurance and sprint races, displaying their unwavering determination and unmatched speed. Furthermore, their midway and final presentations earned them well-deserved accolades, emphasizing their exceptional communication and presentation skills. In the highly competitive regenerative braking category, they achieved a commendable third place, highlighting their commitment to sustainable engineering solutions.

The Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge culminates in two final events held in different locations, where the participants showcase their vehicles and their skills in vehicle construction and testing. These events encompass thrilling races and captivating presentations, all of which are meticulously evaluated by industry professionals who serve as judges. It is worth mentioning that the national competition, held in Littleton, Colorado, was won by Texas A&M University, showcasing the intense competition among the participating institutions. The National Fluid Power Association, based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, takes the reins in coordinating these events, as their primary focus lies in promoting and advancing fluid power technology.

Behind the scenes, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s Department of Mechanical Engineering boasts exceptional faculty advisors who have guided and nurtured the fluid power team throughout their journey. Yasmeen Qudsi, a senior instructor, and John Carroll, an instructor, have played instrumental roles in mentoring and advising the team, channeling their expertise and knowledge to bring out the best in the students. Their dedication and commitment to the team have undoubtedly contributed to their resounding success.

The achievements of the UL Lafayette mechanical engineering students at the Fluid Power Vehicle Final Challengeserve as a testament to the university’s commitment to fostering excellence in education and preparing students for real-world challenges. It showcases the intersection of theoretical knowledge and practical application, highlighting the importance of hands-on experiences in engineering education. The fluid power challenge provides students with an opportunity to apply their classroom learning to real-life scenarios, allowing them to develop problem-solving skills, critical thinking abilities, and effective teamwork, which are crucial for success in the engineering industry.

Aspiring engineers can draw inspiration from the remarkable achievements of these students and their advisors. The Department of Mechanical Engineering at UL Lafayette stands as a testament to the institution’s commitment to providing a comprehensive and rigorous education in mechanical engineering. By equipping students with the necessary tools, knowledge, and opportunities, the department nurtures their talents and enables them to excel in their chosen fields.

In conclusion, the recent triumph of the UL Lafayette mechanical engineering students at the 2023 Fluid Power Vehicle Final Challenge is a testament to their exceptional skills, relentless dedication, and the invaluable support of their faculty advisors. This achievement not only brings pride to the University but also highlights the significance of experiential learning and hands-on opportunities in engineering education. The Department of Mechanical Engineering at UL Lafayette continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the engineers of tomorrow, empowering them to make a lasting impact in the world of engineering and beyond.

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UL Lafayette To Start Only Smart Oilfield Concentration in Nation

This upcoming fall semester, students enrolled in the College of Engineering at  The University of Louisiana at Lafayette will be able to pursue the only Smart Oilfield concentration in the nation. The announcement of this ground-breaking concentration is according to a news release from the school, where courses are set to begin this fall for the new concentration.

Specifically, the Smart Oilfield concentration is a pathway from ULL’s College of Engineering that is designed for petroleum engineering majors who are preparing for a career in the oil and gas industry, one that involves an increasing reliance on ever-evolving technology for efficient, safe, and environmentally-sound and stable exploration and production.

According to the Dean of the University’s College of Engineering, Dr. Ahmed Khattab, the new Smart Oilfield concentration is the only program of its kind in the entirety of the United States of America. Dr. Khattab commented on the necessity of establishing such a concentration by saying, “its addition is part of our comprehensive plan to address conventional and renewable energy by providing cutting-edge degree programs, minors, and concentrations that augment our traditional energy base and meet industry and community needs.”

According to Dr. Khattab, the new concentration will be able to integrate the College of Engineering’s current petroleum engineering degree program’s sub-surface expertise with data analytics, machine learning, and smart drilling. The concentration will also reportedly feature a combined blend of both traditional courses and interactive labs that will focus on automation, carbon capture, coding, computational fluid dynamics, machine learning, predictive capabilities, smart drilling, statistics, and the economic feasibility of exploration in specific locations.

According to Dr. Rafael Hernandez, the Interim Department Head of the Department of Petroleum Engineering, the curriculum for the Smart Oilfield concentration was developed based on extensive, data-driven research. The concentration was created in conjunction with input from professionals who work in the oil and gas industry, an entire field that has, according to Dr. Hernandez, “undergone a significant transformation in recent years.”

Dr. Hernandez continued to underline the necessity of evolving their program by continuing to outline the Oil and Gas industry by saying, “it now relies on a system of sensors, networks, and integrated operations that generate and communicate field and data analyses to ensure more environmentally friendly, safe and cost-efficient oil exploration, production and management.”

Outside of the new Smart Oilfield concentration, ULL’s College of Engineering has added eight other concentrations in the last two years in order to address recent trends in the industry and needs in fields that have been growing faster than the national average. For instance, employment opportunities for petroleum engineers are projected to increase by 8% through 2029, and employment opportunities for engineers are projected to increase 6% through 2029, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.
According to Dr. Khattab, the total 9 concentrations that have been added by the College of Engineering have been added for a variety of well-informed reasons. Dr. Khattab said, “These are strategic additions implemented to ensure we continually give our graduates the knowledge and skills they will need for the jobs they want, and that will position them to thrive and advance in their careers.

Besides the Smart Oilfield concentration, the other 8 new concentrations are: autonomous and robotic systems; bioengineering; computer engineering; engineering management; power and sustainable energy; secure smart systems; sustainable energy systems; and water resources and environmental engineering.

According to the Department of Petroleum Engineering, the above new concentrations are made all-the-more valuable as the “UL Lafayette Petroleum Engineering (PETE) program ranks among the top in the nation and is recognized across the globe. It is the only academic program in the U.S. providing education and training for students to demonstrate compliance with the International Association of Drilling Contractors’ Well Sharp Certification, an industry-standard credential that ensures knowledge of cost and efficiency optimization and risk minimization during drilling operations.”

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LSU and LA Tech Partnership Creates Structural Integrity Center

In a game-changing decision for the future of engineering, both Louisiana State University and Louisiana Tech University have teamed up to establish a new Industry/University Cooperative Research Center (I/UCRC), according to an LSU press release made by.   The Center for Innovations in Structural Integrity Assurance, also known as CISIA, will serve the industrial and academic community as the epicenter of knowledge and innovations made across many broad industrial sectors in the United States. This commitment to focus on assuring the structural integrity of components for both small and large structures is seen by the involved Universities as a way to instill a sense of industry duty and responsibility in their Engineering students.

This partnership between LSU and La Tech University will, for the first time in the history of either institution, create a single center of structural integrity assurance that aims to focus on innovative solutions, predictive capabilities, and transformative insights for mechanical structures. The center director and professor in the LSU Department of Mechanical Engineering, Michael Khonsari, commented on LSU’s perspective, saying, “our faculty are excited about the establishment of this I/UCRC. It has been one of our long-term strategic goals to form strong and sustainable partnerships with industry, and we are grateful to NSF for making this possible.”

Candidly stated, the potential economic, social, and environmental consequences of infrastructure and component failure can be absolutely catastrophic to the nation on an immensely massive scale. As it stands right now, the predicted failure of aging civil infrastructure is set to result in a United States GDP loss of $4 trillion and 2.5 million jobs over the next ten years. Additionally, there is no I/UCRC that is currently active that is able to match the capabilities of the research and development of CISIA, further proving the importance of its installation.

Dr. Leslie Guice, the president of Louisiana Tech, commented saying, “this Industry-University Cooperative Research Center is a distinct recognition of the excellent research conducted by Louisiana Tech faculty in collaboration with LSU. Our industry partners will greatly benefit from these stronger partnerships with the researchers and talented students, and that will be great for Louisiana.”

According to LSU’s statement, CISIA will be in an optimal position to translate the links between new materials, innovative manufacturing processes, and their “collective impact on reliability across all U.S. industrial sectors.” This advantageous position is a result of CISIA’s integration of validated diagnostics, material testing and characterization occurring on multiple scales, data-driven machine learning, and manufacturing parameter optimization and process characterization.

Unlike the academic and industrial members that make up CISIA, most industrial research and development organizations currently operating in the United States today do not research establishing links among structural integrity, infrastructure performance, and material properties. Because of the depth and scope of their research, CISIA will collaborate closely with industry professionals, LSU, and La Tech to produce a crop of engineers who are expertly trained to utilize modern, innovative methods of structural health monitoring and analysis.

The training of both school’s engineering students will include the studying of state-of-the-art evaluation and testing facilities so that upon graduation, these students will be some of the most highly-qualified, productive workforces in the nation, thus further contributing to the global competitiveness of many US industries.

LSU Interim Executive Vice President & Provost Matt Lee stated, “this is a watershed moment enhancing our efforts to produce eminent engineers of the future, groundbreaking research, and innovative solutions that will significantly further the critical work to address failing and aging infrastructure around the country. We are proud to partner with Louisiana Tech on this cooperative research center, and to better serve our students, the industrial sector, and our nation through the research, training, and collaboration that will be done at the Center for Innovations in Structural Integrity Assurance.”

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UL Lafayette and SLCC Partner on New Engineering Transfer Agreement

It was recently announced that the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and South Louisiana Community College are collaborating on a new transfer pathway agreement that will allow students to earn a bachelor’s degree in engineering from both institutions.

This beneficial transfer agreement, which is set to begin with the Fall 2021 semester, will allow students beginning their post-secondary studies at SLCC to earn an associate’s degree in general studies with a pre-engineering concentration at SLCC. The student will then transfer to UL Lafayette’s College of Engineering to complete coursework, earning them a bachelor’s degree in engineering with no course credits lost in the process.

For decades high school graduates in the Acadiana region regularly attend their first two years of post-secondary education at SLCC before transferring’ over to ULL. Students choosing this pathway do so to save on tuition costswhile they earn generalized course credits that transfer over with them when they transfer to the four-year university. It should be noted that in transferring from a community college to a public university, many students notice that not all of their course credits transfer to their new degree program; luckily this won’t be the case with the announced transfer agreement.

SLCC’s chancellor Dr. Vincent G. June commented on the aim of the agreement, saying that it was designed to help a larger percentage of the student body achieve both their academic and career goals as well as give a boost to the development of the engineering workforce.  When speaking of the organization of the agreement, Dr. June was quoted as saying “to ease the transition for SLCC students who ultimately intend to pursue a bachelor’s degree in engineering from UL Lafayette.”

While at SLCC students will complete a curriculum consisting of 61-63 course credits that include classes in English, history, math, natural sciences, and social sciences. In addition to these courses that are applicable to a General Studies degree, students will also be required to take several engineering courses that are to be taught on UL Lafayette’s campus by professors from its College of Engineering. This cross-campus learning model is best suited for students entering the transfer pathways agreement as it will acclimate them to the learning environment, practices, and student body of the school in which they will ultimately finish their degree.

The press release confirmed that all credits taken in the pathway will successfully transfer to UL Lafayette, allowing students to pursue an engineering degree in a variety of disciplines and concentrations, including chemical, civil,electrical and computer, mechanical, and petroleum engineering. In order to earn an undergraduate engineering degree from ULL students must have completed at least 127 course credit hours of study.

Members of UL Lafayette’s administration who were present at the signing included Dr. Joseph Savoie, president, Dr. Jaimie Hebert, provost and vice president for academic affairs, and Dr. Ahmad Khattab, dean of the College of Engineering. Representing SLCC at the historic signing that occurred in late May were Dr. Vincent G. June,chancellor, and Dr. Darcee Bex, interim vice chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs.

Dr. Bex, who is also SLCC’s dean of STEM as well as Transportation and Energy, spoke to ULL Press on the beneficial aspects of the agreement, “upon enrolling, transferring students will already know some of our professors and their fellow students and be acclimated to campus. They will also have about four semesters of coursework completed. Aligning the community college with university partners like UL Lafayette just makes sense. This transfer pathway will increase educational attainment in Acadiana and is a commitment to those students seeking a career as an engineer. We’ve created a pathway to get these students to that career.”

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