"The Southern Arkansas University System has developed a Welding Engineering Technology program that is one-of-a-kind in Arkansas, and one of only a few in the country," said a SAU System spokesperson.
The Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved SAU to add a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics with an option in Welding Engineering Technology.
In development of this Welding Engineering Technology program, the SAU System found there to be a need for highly skilled welding supervisors to lead the welding and fabricating operations in advanced manufacturing industries and specifically the aerospace defense and oil and gas manufacturing industries of southern Arkansas.
"SAU and SAU Tech do an outstanding job in equipping students to meet local industry needs. Welding engineers are in great demand regionally, and certainly at Lockheed Martin's Camden facility," said Colin Sterling, Director of Lockheed Martin Camden Operations. "We hire locally as much as possible, and look forward to recruiting at SAU to fill positions as they become available."
Striving to avoid duplication in programs and removing transfer obstacles, SAU System administrators are proud to be implementing this integrated program that will utilize strengths of both SAU and SAU Tech.
This new four-year program will provide hands-on instruction for various welding processes, metallurgy of welding, material selections for welding, maintenance of welding products and automation of welding.
"We feel confident this program will be a service to the region, industry and those looking for good paying jobs," said SAU Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Ben Johnson. "This will be a quality program that will propel students forward in their careers."
Students will take the first two years of coursework at SAU Tech, including a year of general education courses and nine months of training at SAU Tech's Welding Academy. Students will then finish their Bachelor's degree through the SAU Engineering program, which has taken off in popularity since it started in fall 2014.
Enrollment in SAU's Engineering program has already surpassed 160 students. Lockheed Martin and other area industry partners have provided financial support for the program to purchase the latest equipment, as well as internship and job opportunities for students and graduates.
For more information contact:
Southern Arkansas University
100 University St
Magnolia, AR 71753
SAU Tech: Kevia Clemons
kclemons@sautech.edu
870-574-4492
SAU: Sarajane Teleford
sjteleford@saumag.edu
870-235-4290
web.saumag.edu/wet
www.sautech.edu/academics/welding.aspx