Automation Lab opened in Limerick! @MitsubishiElect #PAuto #Education @UL #Ireland

The Mitsubishi Electric Automation Laboratory, based in University of Limerick, was officially opened last month by Minister Denis Naughten T.D. of the Department for Communications, Climate Action & Environment. Accompanying Minister Naughten in the opening was Professor Don Barry, University of Limerick (UL) President and Ciaran Moody, Mitsubishi Electric Ireland General Manager. The laboratory is a custom designed workspace aimed to expose Technology & Engineering students to the needs of modern automation and manufacturing, from robotic control and controller programming to vision systems.

L TO R: Dr. Alan Kelly (Automation Lecturer in the UL School of Engineering), Minister Denis Naughten T.D. (of the Department for Communications, Climate Action & Environment), Ciaran Moody (Mitsubishi Electric Ireland General Manager) and Professor Don Barry (President UL).

Mitsubishi Electric have worked closely with UL for a number of years. The Mitsubishi Electric Automation Laboratory is just one element of a number of collaborative projects in existence between the University and the market leading technology company. “The key goal of this Automation Laboratory is to ensure that these students receive training in the most up to date equipment available. Mitsubishi Electric and UL are committed to safeguarding the future supply of qualified engineers in the automation industry. We believe this relationship will flourish over the coming years” Ciaran Moody, General Manager for Mitsubishi Electric Ireland on the opening of the Automation Laboratory.

During his speech the Minister, who is a scientist by profession, commended the good relationship that has developed between UL and Mitsubishi Electric, and highlighted the importance of Industry and education working closely together, “It is important for students to get hands on practical experience which will stand to them. I think all involved in University of Limerick and Mitsubishi Electric should be complimented for this initiative.”

The addition of the Mitsubishi Electric Automation Laboratory allows UL students to receive invaluable experience in the automation world before stepping foot into industry. Speaking at the opening of the Laboratory on Wednesday August 31st, President of the University of Professor Don Barry, also emphasized the need for closer Industry and educational relationships, “this event illustrates the importance of academia and industry working together and most importantly, it welcomes those who are at the beginning of their careers in manufacturing engineering research.”

Dr. Alan Ryan, Automation Lecturer in the UL School of Engineering, was also present on the day. Dr. Ryan played a key role in the Mitsubishi Electric – UL Laboratory partnership and was a prominent figure in the laboratory design and build concept. He has worked at the University for a number of years and was proud to be involved in the initiative. “Here in UL we pride ourselves in producing graduates with skills required by industry, the opening of the Mitsubishi Electric Automation Laboratory ensures that our manufacturing and technology undergraduate students will experience the latest emerging technologies in a real hands on practical manner. This improves the student experience here in University but also ensure that our graduates have the knowledge, technical and collaborative skills which are vital in the industrial environment. Our collaboration with Mitsubishi Electric Ireland has resulted in a state of the art teaching and learning environment and I look forward to on-going collaboration over the coming years to ensure our graduates maintain contact with the ever changing trends in the automation space.”

@MitsubishiElect #PAuto #Education @UL #Ireland