Program Gives Engineering Students Experience, Insight into Italian Manufacturing Technology

DEARBORN, Mich. February 4, 2008 — Up to three North American engineering / technology students and two faculty members will win expense-paid trips to Italy as part of an academic essay competition co-sponsored by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers Education Foundation (SME-EF) and the Italian Trade Commission. The Italian Machine Tools Technology Award is aimed at spurring university student research and innovation in the metalworking industry, while strengthening awareness about Italian technology in the field.

"The program ties in our overall mission of inspiring youth to pursue careers in engineering and manufacturing," said Bart Aslin, director of the SME-EF. "This opportunity allows students to get first-hand experience in the field they have been studying."

The essay competition is open to college juniors, seniors and graduate students, and requires them to write a paper focused on engineering for the metalworking industry from one of four topic areas. Faculty members at participating universities must endorse and nominate the students essay for submission to the SME Education Foundation. An independent panel of judges will select up to three students and two faculty members for a expense paid trip of one to two week study abroad in Italy during July of 2008.

In order to be considered for the award, students must submit their essay on or before the deadline of April 7, 2008 via email attachment.

"The program will allow North American engineering / technology students to experience firsthand Italy's cutting-edge machine tools technologies and marketing strategies, which have helped bolster Italy's reputation for manufacturing innovation," said Pasquale Bova, Trade Commissioner of the ITC's Chicago office. "In addition, Italian metalworking machinery manufacturers will have the opportunity to showcase their technology in action to these future decision-makers and end-users."

Click here for more information about the 2008 Italian Machine Tools Technology Award

About the Society of Manufacturing Engineers Education Foundation

The Society of Manufacturing Engineers Education Foundation is one of the nation's leading non-profit organizations dedicated to advancing manufacturing education. Its approach is three-fold: to inspire youth to pursue careers in manufacturing; to support students studying for careers in engineering-related fields; and to prepare students attending college or technical school through its Manufacturing Education Plan grant program. Since 1980, the Foundation has provided more than $21 million in grants, scholarships and awards. The Education Foundation was created by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers in 1979 as a means of transforming manufacturing education in North American colleges and universities. For more information, visit www.sme.org/foundation.

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If you have any questions or comments, please contact the SME Education Foundation by phone (313) 425-3300, e-mail foundation@sme.org, or Fax: (313) 425-3411