SFU, Siemens Canada partner on mechatronics certification program and PLM software grant
July 11, 2017
By Manufacturing AUTOMATION
Instructor Amr Marzouk shows new industrial training assembly line equipment to SFU mechatronics students Anahita Mahmoodi and Mouataz Kaddoura. Both are enrolled in the Siemens Mechatronics Systems Certification Program that starts in August. Jul. 11, 2017 – A new academic partnership between Simon Fraser University (SFU) and Siemens Canada will provide advanced learning and certification opportunities for engineering students and professionals.
Announced at an industry engagement day hosted by SFU in partnership with Siemens and the City of Surrey, B.C., the collaboration involves both the introduction of the Siemens Mechatronics Systems Certification Program (SMSCP) at the university’s Surrey campus, and an in-kind grant of Siemens PLM software.
The university is one of seven Canadian schools to offer the SMSCP courses which will be taught by SFU instructors who are certified professional engineers and trained at the Siemens Technik Academy in Berlin, Germany.
Starting next month, SFU will offer the program to qualified students (from all post-secondary institutions) and professionals interested in developing their skills in automation and manufacturing. Upon completion of the program, participants will obtain mechatronics systems certification directly from Siemens.
“As Canada’s engaged university, SFU is proud to partner with Siemens, a world leader in high-technology manufacturing,” said Joanne Curry, vice president external relations, SFU. “This certification will give program participants a clear advantage as they pursue careers in automation and manufacturing, and will equip them with skills and knowledge to meet the changing needs of industry.”
Siemens says it is the only global industrial company to offer the internationally recognized mechatronics certification program.
“The skills needed for the future of manufacturing are very different from what is currently required, and that means students need to train today for the jobs of tomorrow,” said Bo Ouyang, executive vice president and CFO, Siemens Canada. “We have a great academic partner in Simon Fraser University who believes this as well and together we will help provide students with the technology and training to become leaders of this digital future.”
SFU will also receive an in-kind grant of Siemens PLM software, enabling students in the Faculty of Applied Sciences to use the same software technology in their classrooms that 77,000 customers around the world use for product design. The grant includes NXTM software, an integrated solution for computer-aided design, manufacturing and engineering, from Siemens’ PLM Software business.
