Foxconn and UW-Milwaukee Host Send-off for Students Embarking on International Engineering Co-op

Milwaukee, WI – Representatives of Foxconn Technology Group (Foxconn) and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) gathered with members of the community to celebrate 12 UWM engineering and computer science students traveling to Taiwan for a semester-long international co-op program. The co-op program, which is the first of its kind offered by Foxconn in the state, will allow the students to further hone their engineering skills and apply their learning in a world-class environment.

Mr. John Garnetti, Director of Strategic Partnerships at FEWI Development Corp., UWM Provost Johannes Britz, and UWM College of Engineering & Applied Science Dean Brett Peters joined friends and family of departing students for a send-off ceremony at Foxconn’s North American Headquarters in Milwaukee on Friday.

“We thank Chancellor Mark Mone and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for partnering with us to help these students grow professionally and learn about advanced manufacturing technologies so this knowledge can be brought to bear here in Wisconsin,” said Dr. Alan Yeung, Foxconn Director of U.S. Strategic Initiatives.

Dr. Yeung added: “Wisconsin’s quality academic institutions are part of what brought us here to the Badger State. UWM’s support of this program is indicative of its steadfast commitment to its students’ academic and professional success. Talented and inspiring individuals like these 12 students are the kind of people that, as professionals, will help improve the quality of life of people worldwide through AI 8K+5G technology. Going forward, it is my hope we can expand this program and in doing so deepen our positive impact for Wisconsin.”

Chancellor Mone shared, “I couldn’t be more proud of this first cohort of UWM engineering and computer science students. This is a tremendous opportunity and underscores the strong legacy of collaboration with industry our university is known for.”

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee engineering and computer science students Austin Wesner, Alex Seinfeld, Basil Hable, Cheenou Xiong, David Krampert, Doug Macknois, Jacob Brewer, Liam Brodie, Nikhil Daniels, Timothy Dachelet, Zachary Jankowski, and Joshua Sharkey will arrive at Taiwan’s Chung Yuan Christian University (CYCU) on Tuesday.

The co-op consists of five weeks of study at CYCU, covering Chinese language and culture. They will then learn about the LCD screen fabrication process and receive 18 weeks of practical work experience with industry professionals at Foxconn subsidiary Innolux Corporation, where the students will learn about various display technologies, process control, manufacturing operation, project management and applications in the consumer electronics, medical, and automotive sectors. They will also build knowledge of future solutions and end devices that could be produced at the Wisconn Valley Science and Technology Park. The students will return to UWM on July 3.

Brett Peters, Dean of UWM’s College of Engineering & Applied Science, added: “This is an amazing opportunity for our students. They will be exposed to the latest technology for LCD fabrication, will begin to see how this technology can be deployed in a range of applications, and will gain first-hand experience working at a global company in an international setting. That experience, coupled with their excellent technical education from UWM, will give them a huge advantage in their future careers.”

Liam Brodie, who is studying civil engineering at UWM, said: “My UWM courses and experiences have taught me the thought development process of how to take on a problem as viewed through an engineering perspective. I am ecstatic at having been chosen for Foxconn’s first international engineering co-op, and the opportunity to apply this learning.  I look forward to availing of myself of professional development opportunities and gaining work experience in a dynamic market.”

This is the first program of its kind at Foxconn, and UWM is the currently the sole partner for the semester-long internship. Foxconn also works with UWM and other Wisconsin higher education institutions on the “Smart City – Smart Futures” initiative, a competition in which members of the higher education community look for innovative ways to utilize technology to enhance quality of life, with monetary prizes and technical support for award winners.

For those interested in participating in the “Smart Cities – Smart Futures” initiative, please visit https://wismartcities-smartfutures.com/.

About Foxconn Technology Group

Established in 1974, Foxconn Technology Group (“Foxconn”), is the global leader in manufacturing services for the computer, communication, and consumer electronics (3C) industry. A multinational company headquartered in Taiwan, Foxconn offers many of the leading U.S. and international companies in electronics a one-stop integrated manufacturing solution. Foxconn generated total annual revenue of $158 billion in 2017 and was ranked No. 27 on the 2017 Fortune magazine Global 500. The company has facilities in Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Foxconn is leveraging the potential of cloud computing, mobile devices, the Internet of Things, Big Data, artificial intelligence, networks, and robotics and automation, in its transformation as a leading high-tech enterprise and industrial Internet company. The company has research centers and testing laboratories internationally and has received more than 83,500 patents worldwide. In addition to maximizing value creation for customers, Foxconn is also dedicated to enhancing the concept of environmental sustainability in the manufacturing process and serving as a best-practices model for global enterprises.

About FEWI Development Corporation

Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, FEWI Development Corporation (“FEWI”) is a Foxconn Technology Group company dedicated to planning, developing and investing in strategic programs and initiatives under the auspices of “Foxconn Flying Eagle Project” in Wisconsin. The scope of FEWI includes strategic investments in commercial and residential real estate, as well as launching and managing business operations relating to Foxconn Place and the Wisconn Valley Science and Technology Park.

About UWM

Recognized as one of the nation’s 130 top research universities, UW-Milwaukee provides a world-class education to 27,500 students from 91 countries on a budget of $689 million. Its 15 schools and colleges include Wisconsin’s only schools of architecture, freshwater sciences and public health, and it is a leading educator of nurses and teachers. UW-Milwaukee partners with leading companies to conduct joint research, offer student internships and serve as an economic engine for southeastern Wisconsin. The Princeton Review named UW-Milwaukee a 2019 “Best Midwestern” university based on overall academic excellence and student reviews, and the Sierra Club has recognized it as Wisconsin’s leading sustainable university.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.