Omron Foundation supports UM-Dearborn engineering students with $1 million gift

April 27, 2018

Hoffman Estates, IL. Omron Foundation has announced a gift of $1 million to the University of Michigan-Dearborn for the establishment of a new laboratory inside the university’s Engineering Lab Building (ELB), a $90 million project expected to be complete in 2020. The new Omron Robotics and Human Factors Lab will be an addition to the state-of-the-art building that will provide UM-Dearborn students with a comprehensive, 21st-century engineering education.

Omron Foundation coordinates the charitable efforts of all U.S.-based offices of the Omron Corp., a global leader and pioneer in automation technology and solutions. Through this contribution, Omron demonstrates its commitment to preparing today’s engineering students for the challenges of the future.

The university’s new ELB will transform engineering education by combining innovative teaching labs with modern classrooms to cultivate entrepreneurial problem-solving skills as well as technological expertise. Students will benefit from a multidisciplinary approach in an environment rich in collaboration and project-based learning. Cutting-edge labs will let students explore real-world applications in power engineering, robotics, bioengineering, cybersecurity, and more.

“Through Omron Foundation, we are delighted to have the opportunity to support this amazing innovation investment at University of Michigan-Dearborn. At Omron we continue to make revolutionary new developments in human robotics harmonization. With the vision and talented research teams ever evolving at UM-Dearborn, we are committed to not just this engineering lab, but the scholarship programs to support future generations of engineers, fortunate enough to study in this impressive new environment,” said Nigel Blakeway, Omron Americas Corp. CEO and Omron Foundation president.

Daniel Little, chancellor of the University of Michigan-Dearborn, said he is gratified to receive this “historic investment” from Omron Foundation. “Their support is key to this transformative project which will advance our academic programs and expand our capacity for premier research and industry partnerships,” said Little.

“We’re very excited to partner with the University of Michigan-Dearborn on their endeavor to further the learning and advancement of future engineers,” said Robb Black, president and CEO of Omron Automation Americas. “Students will be learning the most advanced robotic technologies to further their problem-solving abilities.”

In addition to the $1 million gift, the Omron Foundation also announced a new scholarship for UM-Dearborn electrical engineering students. This is the Omron Foundation’s 8th endowed scholarship in electrical engineering with prior endowments established at the Illinois Institute of Technology, Kettering University, Northern Illinois University, Northwestern University, Southern Illinois University, University of Houston, and the University of Illinois at Champaign.

About UM-Dearborn

Founded in 1959 with a gift of just over 200 acres of land and $6.5 million from the Ford Motor Co., University of Michigan-Dearborn is a metropolitan university serving southeastern Michigan, committed to excellence rooted in strong academics, innovative research and programming and civic engagement. The university has over 9,300 students pursuing more than 100 bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and professional degrees in liberal arts and sciences, engineering, business, education, and health.

The Omron gift supports the ELB as part of the Victors for UM-Dearborn campaign, which is raising funds for student support, educational initiatives, learning environments, and faculty support. To date, the campaign has raised more than $42 million, with more than $20 million dedicated to student assistance including 100 new scholarships. For more information about the campaign, visit https://umdearborn.edu/giving.

About OMRON Foundation Inc.

Founded in 1989, OMRON Foundation Inc. coordinates the charitable efforts of OMRON offices in the U.S. to achieve the greatest positive social impact. The Foundation is funded by OMRON’s subsidiaries in the U.S., which contribute a portion of sales revenue to the Foundation. The Foundation divides its charitable resources among organizations benefiting education, people with disabilities, cultural programs, health, and other social concerns including disaster relief.

About OMRON

OMRON Corp. is a global leader in the field of automation based on its core technology of “Sensing & Control + Think.”  Established in 1933, OMRON has about 36,000 employees worldwide, working to provide products and services in 117 countries. The company’s business fields cover a broad spectrum, ranging from industrial automation and electronic components to automotive electronics, social infrastructure systems, healthcare, and environmental solutions.

www.omron.com
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