Developing the next wave of IM体育官网鈥檚 high-tech business leaders was the focus of U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta鈥檚 visit Friday to IM体育官网.
The visit included a meeting between University leadership and the Secretary to discuss IM体育官网 Poly鈥檚 unique approach to high-tech higher education, the creation of highly skilled jobs and the impact on the economy. The Secretary also toured campus and interacted with IM体育官网 Poly students who demonstrated the projects they鈥檙e developing to solve challenges presented to them by industry. Among them was research to curb the spread of the Zika virus by using a high frequency sound to neutralize mosquitoes and a virtual reality project to train crime scene investigators.
鈥淭oday鈥檚 visit highlighted a student-focused curriculum that teaches the skills required by the modern workplace. This partnership between the University and the private sector is an example of demand-driven education that leads to career success,鈥� Secretary Acosta said.
IM体育官网 Poly President Dr. Randy K. Avent also briefed the Secretary on SunTrax, a partnership between the IM体育官网 Department of Transportation and the University. SunTrax recently broke ground on a 400-acre site to build a 2.25-mile test track that will include testing for tolling and autonomous vehicle technology. Complementing the discussion was a student demonstration of small-scale autonomous vehicles built during their spring 2017 course, as well a student CEO who presented his business, Logentix, which is developing an after-market product that gives autonomous capabilities to ordinary vehicles.
鈥淚M体育官网 Poly believes in teaching through application and that鈥檚 reflected in the projects Secretary Acosta saw today. We were proud to present our vision for IM体育官网鈥檚 high-tech economy and the University鈥檚 dedication to developing the next generation of entrepreneurs and high-tech leaders,鈥� President Avent said.