Officials at Ivy Tech Community College’s Bloomington campus accepted a $50,000 grant award on Thursday, January 8, from Duke Energy Foundation, to acquire equipment for training students in Advanced Automation and Robotics Technology (AART).
Specifically, the grant will support acquisition of a comprehensive advanced automation and robotically controlled pharmaceutical manufacturing system.
“Ivy Tech’s Bloomington campus is appreciative of the support of our friends at the Duke Energy Foundation,” said Chancellor Jennie Vaughan. “Because of this grant award, Ivy Tech-Bloomington technology graduates will be equipped with essential skills to make significant contributions to the economic growth of south-central Indiana’s biomanufacturing community.”
It is anticipated that there will be a demand for 123,000 STEM-related positions in Indiana by 2018, half of which will require middle-skills training.
“The goals of the AART degree program are to advance the preparation for middle-skilled jobs in advanced manufacturing and life sciences technologies,” said Kirk Barnes, Dean of Technology Division at Ivy Tech-Bloomington. “Only Ivy Tech-Bloomington has the capacity to offer this unique application of automation and robotics as applied to the drug product industry.”
Other Ivy Tech-Bloomington degree programs such as regulatory affairs, engineering technology, and electrical engineering will benefit from using the space and equipment for practical lab application activities and simulated case studies on drug product manufacturing.
“We are very excited to support Ivy Tech – Bloomington with this grant,” said Bruce Calloway Duke Energy Indiana Community Relations Manager for Monroe County. “The AART program will have a significant impact on workforce development within our region.”
The AART equipment will be located in the Center for Emerging Technologies instructional space in the Ferguson Academic Building expansion. The expansion is expected to be completed for Spring Semester 2016.
For information about Technology Division degree programming at Ivy Tech-Bloomington, call (812) 330-6050 or email kbarnes@ivytech.edu.
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor's degree.
