Meet a Fluid Power Scholarship Winner – Albert Ly

Programs like the Fluid Power Scholarships are made possible in part by the generous support of industry volunteers as well as NFPA Education and Technology Foundation and Pascal Society donors. Support these efforts by making a donation.

The NFPA Education and Technology Foundation has awarded nineteen $2,000 scholarships to students pursuing fluid power technology fields of study.

Here’s one of the winners, Albert Ly. Albert is attending Triton College. We asked Albert about winning the scholarship…

What does winning a Fluid Power Scholarship mean to you?
To me, winning this Fluid Power Scholarship means that my efforts in my academics have not been in vain. It means that through my hard work, I was able to push through and gain financial aid to help support my aspirations. With this scholarship, my financial situation will not be as big of a hurdle to cross in order to graduate and get out into the workforce with my education.

Why did you choose to learn about fluid power?
I chose to learn fluid power as it was related to robotics. Learning about things like hydraulics and pneumatics is something that is rather essential when building, operating, and repairing robots in the industry. With fluid power, my goal of building my own robot to send out into the world would be even closer than before.

What are your career aspirations? What type of fluid power job do you hope to get after you graduate?
My career aspirations involve me getting into a workplace that deals with robots. I already have prior knowledge with programming on PLCs along with languages such as C++ and JavaScript that can help me achieve that goal. Adding on knowledge in fluid power along with my programming skills, I plan on getting into a fluid power job that involves building, repairing, and operating robots once I graduate and have some experience in the workforce.

The Foundation’s goal is to help individuals enrolled in technical colleges and universities pursue their interests in fluid power. The Fluid Power Scholarship application is available from January 2023 until early April 2023. Please share this opportunity within your network. Additionally, if you would like to serve on the application review committee, please contact Eric Pannell at epannell@nfpa.com.