The Future of Travel: Gift to Boost Automotive Education, Research at UC College of Engineering and Applied Science
Mentor Graphics gives software, graduate assistantship support to train engineers and support transportation innovations
CINCINNATI – July 28, 2016 – The University of Cincinnati College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS) today announced a substantial software gift and annual support for a graduate assistantship from Mentor Graphics, a world leader in electronic hardware and software design and manufacturing solutions, that could help revolutionize the way we travel. The gift will be used to train industry-ready professionals in automotive, electrical and embedded systems design while also benefiting ongoing research in transportation innovations.
"Mentor Graphics is proud to support CEAS on these forward thinking automotive programs, it is also very exciting that this will help CEAS compete in industry-recognized competitions such as PACE and SAE Formula" said Leigh Anderson, automotive higher education program manager, Mentor Graphics. "I am sure this program will help ensure that CEAS engineering graduates enter into the automotive industry proficient in industry-standard state-of-the-art tools such as Capital and Volcano.”
The software, valued at $81 million, includes two of Mentor Graphics’ flagship software suites: the Capital™ product line for electrical systems & harness design and the Volcano™ vehicle networking suite of tools. At UC’s CEAS, students will use the software in automotive design courses offered in mechanical engineering, SAE Formula car senior capstone design projects and the automotive design optimization course for graduates.
Beyond the classroom, students will use the software in the PACE Global competition, an annual contest that challenges multi-disciplinary teams of students to develop sustainable transportation concepts. Students will be able to design electrical systems and wiring harnesses, network components and embedded software. UC has participated in the competition for the past 12 years and has won multiple awards.
“Thank you Mentor Graphics for your investment in the UC College of Engineering and Applied Science. Our students will use the Capital and Volcano software suites to gain professional experience in design, manufacturing and industrial engineering,” said CEAS Dean Teik Lim. “At CEAS, we strive to provide a world-class education through experiential, real-word learning. Your gift will not only help us train the next generation of engineer, but it also will enable our researchers to pursue automotive sound studies that could lead to the next great innovation.”
The graduate assistantship support from Mentor Graphics will benefit the Vibro-Acoustics and Sound Quality Research Laboratory at UC’s CEAS, where researchers, including Lim, are working to make vehicles quieter. At the education-centered facility, students benefit from hands-on learning and integrated computational, experimental and analytical approaches. Research focuses on drivetrain noise and vibration control, automotive NVH (noise, vibration and harshness), product sound quality and active noise and vibration control.
“Software gifts provide invaluable teaching tools for UC professors and researchers,” said UC Foundation President Rodney Grabowski. “Mentor Graphics has given back to the university since 1990, and we are grateful for their partnership and investment in our students and researchers. This particular gift will help prepare UC students for the competitive workforce by training and equipping them with the same software used by professional engineers.”
In the next decade, the world will drive differently. Current market research indicates that electric vehicles sales are projected to increase by 21 percent each year. Driver information systems are getting smarter and more sophisticated day-by-day, making self-driving cars a reality. At UC’s CEAS, students and researchers are working side-by-side on tomorrow’s innovations.
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About Mentor Graphics
Mentor Graphics Corporation (NASDAQ: MENT) is a world leader in electronic hardware and software design and manufacturing solutions, providing products, consulting services and award-winning support for the world’s most successful electronic, semiconductor and systems companies. Established in 1981, the company reported revenues in the last fiscal year of approximately $1.18 billion. Corporate headquarters are located at 8005 S.W. Boeckman Road, Wilsonville, Oregon 97070-7777. Website: http://www.mentor.com/.
About the University of Cincinnati Foundation
Established in 1975, the University of Cincinnati Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation and is the private sector fundraising entity for the University of Cincinnati and UC Health. The foundation supports UC’s aspirations through philanthropic collaboration with the colleges, the Academic Health Center, UC Health and other units to maximize private support. The foundation’s advancement efforts promote the development of productive, enduring relationships with alumni, friends, colleagues, students, foundations, corporations and the Greater Cincinnati community. For more information, please visit uc.edu/foundation.