24
view . summer 2011
ENGINEERING
THE FUTURE
Engineering students from the University of Windsor and Politecnico di Torino will benefit
from the best of both worlds, under a new collaborative agreement to establish a joint
international degree program in automotive engineering.
Alan Wildeman, UWindsor president, and Francesco
Profumo, rector of Politecnico di Torino (Italy), signed
the new agreement at a March 28 ceremony in Italy
which was also attended by Sergio Marchionne,
CEO of Fiat S.p.A. and Chrysler Group LLC.
The first-of-its-kind joint degree agreement will see
graduate students from the University of Windsor and
Politecnico di Torino participate in a two-year Masters program
working on cutting-edge research and development projects
with Chrysler and Fiat.
University of Windsor students will spend their first year
in Windsor, where they will study four streams of engineering
knowledge – vehicle, virtual simulation and powertrain
engineering, as well as manufacturing process management.
The second year will be spent in Turin, Italy, where students will
take courses and work on a research and development project
determined by Fiat, the student, and an academic advisor.
Italian students will spend their first year at their home
university and a second year studying at the University
of Windsor. They will complete a thesis project at the
University of Windsor-Chrysler Automotive Research and
Development Centre.
Dr. Wildeman said that the objective of this degree
program is to offer participants a complete, international
education that addresses the challenges and new strategies
in the auto industry and the requirements of the automotive
engineering profession. “Students completing the program
will have solid professional training, linguistic proficiency and
the practical experience necessary to work in a competitive
global environment,” he added.
Upon completion of their studies, students will have
earned both a Masters of Applied Science degree from the
University of Windsor and a Laurea Magistrale degree
from Politecnico di Torino.
“This is a unique example of a degree program based on
collaboration between two prestigious universities and two
automakers on two different continents, which seek to offer
an academic experience of the highest international standard
and, at the same time, provide students with an opportunity
for cultural and personal growth,” said Dr. Wildeman.
Chrysler and Fiat will support research projects, provide
space, research tools, equipment, and the personnel needed
to supervise the work of five top graduate students from
each university. Students will be selected by a committee on
the basis of academic qualifications and suitability for the
program, which is expected to be offered beginning in
September, 2011.
University of Windsor President Alan Wildeman said
the University is committed to doing its part to engage in
shaping the future of automotive engineering.
“This reciprocal agreement with Politecnico di Torino will
challenge our students to take their expertise out into the world,
work at an international level and broaden their horizons.
BY LORI LEWIS
