NFPA Grant Spurs Collaboration Between Universities

NFPA’s University Grant program aims to enhance fluid power education at four-year universities. We have awarded grants to develop curriculum, which is then accessible at no cost to schools nationwide on the NFPA Foundation website.

This year, we took a new approach by harnessing the expertise at Purdue University to assist North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NCAT) as they work to develop a Fluid Power concentration for undergraduate engineers. Both schools are NFPA Power Partner Universities and actively participate in all NFPA fluid power educational programs. The professors at Purdue University are developing five labs that will teach the fluid power competencies identified by our industry members. When testing is complete, these lab kits, estimated to cost about $500 each, will be sent to NCAT. Comprehensive instructions and bill of materials will be made available on the NFPA Foundation website for anyone to use.

The collaboration extends beyond the development of lab kits. In late October, Dr. José García-Bravo from Purdue University spent a day at NCAT. During his visit, he taught a mini course on fluid power and collaborated with Dr. Paul Akangah, the professor at NCAT, on materials needed as they build out their Fluid Power Lab. Dr. Akangah, through the grant program, will be visiting Purdue University and Iowa State University to see their fluid power lab and educational resources.

NFPA’s commitment to enhancing fluid power education at NCAT goes beyond curriculum and lab development. We have been facilitating connections between NCAT faculty, NFPA member companies, and other university peers, to help ensure the success of the implementation of NFPA Power Partner programs, and to help increase awareness of fluid power education and careers paths among the student population. If you would like to learn more or get involved, please contact Stephanie Scaccianoce at sscaccianoce@nfpa.com.