The School of Construction Management Technology in Purdue University’s Polytechnic college has received a large donation from Trimble, Inc. to construct a state-of-the-art lab in Dudley and Lambertus Halls.
The new Trimble Technology Lab will enable students to get their hands on cutting-edge technology, with a goal to strengthen Purdue’s legacy of producing industry-ready graduates.
By integrating the latest advancements in software and hardware, the lab aims to create versatile learning experiences for any facet of construction management technology. From advanced software solutions to HoloLens virtual reality hard hats that project holograms of architectural designs onto the physical building space, students will be exposed to the forefront of research and innovation in their field.
“We are immensely grateful for Trimble’s generous gift, which will elevate our curriculum and research to a new level,” said Daniel Castro, dean of Purdue Polytechnic. “The equipment and software provided will enhance our School of Construction Management Technology's capacity for forward-thinking work in so many new areas.”
Trimble is a Colorado-based software, hardware and services technology company that supports the building and construction industry, among numerous other global industries.
Communication with Trimble didn’t initially revolve around academics. In 2016, the initiative began as a simple inquiry for surveying equipment. Through the continuous persistence of Purdue faculty like Nicholas Dib, associate professor of construction management, communications with Trimble matured from a commercial exchange to a strategic academic partnership. A shared vision of a crossroads between construction, engineering, and agriculture was a catalyst for the dedication of Purdue Polytechnic’s staff. After years of negotiations, an official agreement was signed July 1, 2023, securing Trimble’s gift.
The lab will also act as a space for faculty to focus on innovation through accessing funding necessary for research in their respective fields. Faculty will now be able to share knowledge and practices with Trimble labs across the country—an opportunity for unprecedented collaboration with the goal of shaping the future workforce of the construction industry.
“We have interest from construction engineering and management faculty at Purdue who want to engage with our faculty under this new initiative,” said Dib, one of the primary faculty members responsible for the initiative’s success. “We hope that this is only the beginning as the lab shows promise to expand collaborative engagement of faculty across colleges and units.”
The official dedication of the lab is planned for early 2024.
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