University of Tennessee and Sheffield sign MOU to facilitate collaborations

(Press-News.org) The University of Tennessee and the University of Sheffield recently signed a memorandum of understanding to facilitate educational and research collaborations, share best practices, and promote student and staff exchanges between the institutions.  

Tickle College of Engineering Dean Matthew Mench, the Wayne T. Davis Dean’s Chair, traveled to England in late November to tour the Sheffield facilities, meet with faculty, and sign the MOU with Malcolm Butler, the vice president and director of global engagement of the University of Sheffield. 

There are many synergies between the two research institutions, including advanced manufacturing, materials, aerospace, nuclear, clean energy, semiconductors, quantum tech, and health tech. The MOU will solidify and build on collaborations and projects already taking place as well. 

“The University of Sheffield has a tremendous engineering program and operates an Advanced Manufacturing Research Center (AMRC) that advances manufacturing research in tight partnership with industry,” Mench said. “In many ways, it is a perfect partner for the college’s research and educational programs, and I look forward to expanding the opportunities for our students and faculty through this relationship.” 
 
The MOU comes as TCE prepares to launch a new Department of Applied Engineering in the fall of 2025. The four-year engineering degree programs to be offered by the department will emphasize hands-on experience and prepare students to directly enter the workforce upon graduation.    

One of the applied engineering concentrations is manufacturing. Sheffield has a strong reputation globally in manufacturing engineering and TCE hopes to leverage this partnership to provide a worldclass applied engineering education to UT students.  

“Collaborations like this are essential for advancing our educational mission,” said Michael Danquah, TCE’s associate dean for academic and student affairs. “This MOU not only strengthens our ties with a prestigious institution like the University of Sheffield, but also provides our students with invaluable international experiences and hands-on training opportunities in applied engineering fields.” 

Sheffield has a centralized state-of-the-art laboratory facility called the Diamond, which will now be included as part of TCE’s Engineering in London summer program. 

“Our students won’t just experience London, as they did previously. They will also experience Sheffield as well. They will learn a bit about the campus and get to perform laboratory work at the Diamond,” Danquah said. “They will also be exposed to the rich history of the metallurgy industry in Sheffield.” 

The partnership will also create an opportunity for students from Sheffield to come to UT for academic and research opportunities. Educational and research partnerships in nuclear engineering, a discipline in which UT is highly ranked, is also of mutual interest.   

“Experiencing Tennessee’s culture will be a big draw for their students,” Danquah said. “I think that cross-cultural educational experience is something that will be attractive to some of their students. Having an MOU like this opens the gate for these types of exchanges to happen.” 

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