JOHNSTOWN, Pa., April 19, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and Concurrent Technologies Corporation have announced a strategic academic-industry partnership that will provide more hands-on research opportunities for faculty and students. The new collaboration will directly impact Pitt-Johnstown students enrolled in the university's civil, chemical, computer, electrical and mechanical engineering programs.
"For more than two decades, Concurrent Technologies Corporation has provided excellent internship opportunities for Pitt-Johnstown students," said Pitt-Johnstown President Dr. Jem Spectar. "The new strategic partnership we are announcing today expands the existing relationship by formalizing our alliance for the benefit of our respective organizations, constituencies, and the public good. Engineering students and faculty will benefit from the combined synergies of our two organizations.
"We believe that Concurrent Technologies Corporation can contribute to the growth of the Pitt-Johnstown Engineering Department by focusing on mutually aligned technology areas such as additive manufacturing, energy storage, big data, immersive environments, water sustainability and others," Specter concluded.
Edward J. Sheehan, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of Concurrent Technologies Corporation, said, "Our engineers and scientists will collaborate with professors and students from Pitt-Johnstown through research and development projects that can lead to technology-based economic development. Academic-industry partnerships such as this can result in exciting new commercialization pathways, technical community projects and entrepreneurship that benefit regional economies.
"Students can expect exceptional learning experiences while working on real-world technology challenges at Concurrent Technologies Corporation. We welcome their enthusiasm, fresh outlooks and informed input."
According to the Framework for Cooperation signed today between Pitt-Johnstown and Concurrent Technologies Corporation, each organization will:
- Identify opportunities for technical information exchanges.
- Host collaborative sessions that will familiarize the respective organizations on each other's capabilities and core competencies.
- Hold academic-industry ideation sessions to develop research concepts.
- Jointly pursue external research funding and develop proposals in response to grants, broad agency announcements and other solicitations.
- Increase visibility through joint technical publications.
Sheehan concludes, "The new strategic partnership will allow Concurrent Technologies Corporation to continuously cultivate new engineering talent while providing students with valuable career skills. Much more can be achieved collectively through collaboration than individually, and we look forward to aligning ourselves with talented professors and students at Pitt-Johnstown who can bring ideas and innovation to high-level technology projects for our mutual benefit."
Founded in 1927, Pitt-Johnstown is located in the Laurel Highlands of Western Pennsylvania and is the first and largest regional campus of the University of Pittsburgh. The University is the regional leader, educating for the Real World. The distinctive combination of our people, programs, and place results in exceptional performance in preparing students for career and professional success. Pitt-Johnstown is recognized by the Princeton Review as a "Best in the Northeast" college, by G.I. Jobs as a "Military Friendly School," by AC Online as one of the "Highest ROI Colleges in Pennsylvania," and by Pennsylvania Business Central as a "Top 100 Organization." Additionally, Pitt-Johnstown has been presented with The Seven Seals Award by the US Department of Defense's office of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR).
Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC) is an independent, nonprofit, applied scientific research and development professional services organization. Together with our affiliates, Enterprise Ventures Corporation and CTC Foundation, we leverage research, development, test and evaluation work to provide transformative, full lifecycle solutions. To best serve our clients' needs, we offer the complete ability to fully design, develop, test, prototype, and build. We support our clients' core mission objectives with customized solutions and strive to exceed expectations. CTC has been named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere Institute, the global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices. In addition, CTC has been named a Best for Vets Employer by Military Times. For more information about CTC, visit www.ctc.com.