Denso Foundation will offer nearly $1 million in grants across North America

BusinessManufacturing

by Talk Business & Politics staff ([email protected]) June 21, 2017 12:45 pm 332 views 

DENSO, the auto parts manufacturer with a manufacturing facility in Osceola, Ark., has announced a $1 million grant for 22 institutions and educational programs across North America, including two in Arkansas. The company will be making the award through its philanthropic arm – the DENSO North America Foundation (DNAF), which funds programs across the continent each year providing hands-on learning opportunities in areas from robotics and thermodynamics to design and materials development.

DENSO confirmed the program on May 22 for its 2017 college and university grants program and announced recipients on Monday (June 19).

“Innovation throughout the manufacturing industry will continue to produce more growth opportunities for students in skilled trades and technical fields,” said DNAF President Doug Patton, who also serves as the 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.”

“The automotive industry relies more and more on those with expertise in fields like robotics and electrical engineering and mechanical engineering,” said David Cole, DNAF board member. “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 mission has been to advance the auto industry through grants to colleges and universities, providing students with technology, tools, and experiences similar to that of the professional workplace they would experience post-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

DENSO is a global automotive supplier of advanced technology, systems and components in the areas of thermal, powertrain control, electronics and information and safety. Headquartered in Southfield, Mich., DENSO employs more than 23,000 people at 30 consolidated companies and affiliates across the North American region. Of these, 28 are manufacturing facilities located in the United States, Canada and Mexico. In the United States alone, DENSO employs more than 17,000 people in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Iowa, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.