The 2024 International Maha Fluid Power Conference, held at Purdue University’s Stewart Center from September 3-5, showcased cutting-edge advancements in fluid power and motion control technologies. Purdue Polytechnic played a key role in the event, with Dean Daniel Castro offering insights into how the Polytechnic’s focus on smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0 aligns with Indiana’s industrial future.
In his remarks at the opening dinner, Castro highlighted the Polytechnic’s contributions to the manufacturing sector, emphasizing the college’s role in driving innovation.
“There is so much technology available to the modern workforce,” Castro said. “We give our undergraduates—and our up-and-coming scholars in our graduate programs—the opportunity to use it all first-hand without ever having to leave the teaching environment.”
In related news, Polytechnic’s statewide locations are collaborating with regional employers to enhance pathways for students into technical roles in technology-forward industries. This includes working with companies like Samsung and Stellantis, which recently established a set of StarPlus Energy electrical vehicle battery production facilities in Kokomo, Indiana.
This has provided an opportunity for Purdue Polytechnic in Kokomo to work with the facilities to establish pipelines for internships, and potentially even employment, as StarPlus Energy will have an ongoing need for technologically trained new workers.
At the Maha Conference’s student recruiting event, industry leaders connected with prospective employees from attendees in Purdue’s various engineering and technology disciplines.
Purdue Polytechnic’s growing investment in teaching students “smart manufacturing” strategies (contained within the umbrella of the new Smart Manufacturing Ecosystem) has enabled new hires to enter companies with a solid grounding in modern technology. These efforts are designed to provide companies, such as those at the Maha recruiting event, with a pool of capable employees that can come join their workforce already prepared and aware of how they might innovate their facilities and processes in the future.
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