Universities and Companies Working Together at Last

The great thing about being an engineering student are the projects you get to work on.  Sometimes projects are made up just to get you to think. Other times they can be real but not involve the actual company. Finally, there are real projects in classes that involve real companies. These are the best types of projects because they provide the most learning experience and often create new products/ideas.

Recently, industrial engineering students from Louisiana State University have developed a new way to preform airplane maintenance. Students in Industrial Engineering 4599  have created the Track Vac 2.0 for Aeroframe which will reduce the amount time and people needed to clean seat tracks on cargo planes. The device was created in a senior design course at Louisiana State University. According to Joshua Bergeron and his article, general manager Mark Redman of Aeroframe states “Usually it takes 10-12 guys to clean the plane”.  “Now the process only requires one person and the vacuum”.  Trac Vac uses brushes and fluids to loosen debris that builds up after use. Trac Vac is a perfect example of what companies and universities can achieve if they work together.

TracK Vac 2.0

One thing that is extremely important is how universities provide real life experience to students. Louisiana State University did exactly that and spent zero dollars doing it. The Track Vac 2.0 was entirely funded by Aerofram. Furthermore, Aeroframe plans to pay Louisiana State University for the design of the project.

This is a prime example of the knowledge and skills that are present at universities. Many products and ideas have come from universities in collaboration with professional businesses. I believe that by working with professional companies and universities we can develop  new products and ideas. Personally, I do not think universities and businesses are taking advantage of this enough. Here are some of the benefits they are missing out on.

The first benefit of companies working with universities is that students have the opportunity to learn outside of the classroom. Yes, they are still taking credits and in a class or lab but working on real projects and problems will test students and their problem solving skills. Students do not get enough real projects in school, the made up ones professors give don’t cut it. Students will be more engaged and get more out of college if presented with real projects.

The second benefit is for the company. Some companies do not have the resources, time or knowledge available to solve problems that may be nagging them. The question is what do universities have? Universities have both time and the resources (students) to develop ideas for potential companies. What university would not want the opportunity to enhance the learning process and make a real difference in a company? Universities also benefit because it gives them the opportunity to network with potential students, organizations, and boast about their accomplishments. Also, just like the Track Vac example, it gives universities the opportunity to earn money.

Another benefit is that both universities, students and companies all benefit.  Colleges can earn money for their ideas that students have developed, students earn real life experience and companies solve a problem they couldn't solve before. It’s a win win for all parties when using universities to develop ideas for companies.There is a vast amount of knowledge and people in the university system that needs to be funneled. Companies need to start working more with universities so we all can benefit.  By working with universities companies are not only creating better students and enhancing the learning experience they are also learning and improving their own processes.  

Sources: http://www.lsureveille.com/news/engineering-students-create-vacuum-that-will-change-airplane-clean-up-1.2618828