Canadian post-secondary institutions get support from Denso

Conestoga College, in Kitchener, Ont., and the University of Guelph are among 22 institutions across North America that will receive grants from the Denso North America Foundation (DNAF).

The foundation funds programs that providing hands-on learning opportunities in a variety of fields ranging from robotics and thermodynamics to design and materials development.

The DNAF board confirmed its 2017 college and university grants, doling out nearly $1 million in funding to 22 institutions and educational programs across North America.

The 2017 grants are intended to help prepare students to join the manufacturing industry’s growing skilled trade workforce.

“Innovation throughout the manufacturing industry will continue to produce more growth opportunities for students in skilled trades and technical fields,” said Doug Patton, president of the Denso North America Foundation and executive vice president of Engineering at Denso International America, Inc. “Companies will lean on this young workforce for years to come, and in order to succeed we need to empower students by giving a better sense for what they’ll experience in the workplace.”

David Cole, Denso North American Foundation board member, said, “The automotive industry relies more and more on those with expertise in fields like robotics and electrical engineering and mechanical engineering. Supporting STEM education enables Denso to develop the next generation of talent needed to fill these roles. It also helps students find ways to translate their passion and skills into opportunity after graduation.”

Since 2001, the DNAF has advanced the auto industry through grants to colleges and universities, providing students with technology, tools, and experiences similar to that of the professional workplace they’ll experience after graduation. The proposal process for these education grants is invite only, and all proposals are evaluated based on technical merit, student experience, and alignment with industry needs.

This year’s grant recipients include:

• Arkansas Northeastern College
• Arkansas State University
• California State University Long Beach
• Cleveland State Community College
• CONALEP Technical College
• Conestoga College
• East Tennessee State University
• FIME – Mechanical and Electrical Engineer College
• Kettering University
• Lawrence Technological University
• Michigan State University
• Michigan Technological University
• North Carolina State University
• Northeast State Community College
• Oakland University
• Tennessee Technological University
• Trine University
• University of Guelph
• University of Kentucky
• University of Tennessee – Chattanooga
• University of Tennessee – Knoxville
• Western Michigan University