UB receives Siemens grant from for manufacturing software to prep students for in-demand jobs

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Students returning to the University at Buffalo this fall are poised to benefit from an innovative public and private workforce development collaboration thanks to the Siemens Digital Industries Software Academic Program, which will provide the university an in-kind software grant of tools for computer-aided design, simulation, manufacturing planning, robotics, product lifecycle management and more.

Siemens will also provide expertise to help shape corresponding curriculum to best prepare UB students for high demand roles in the industrial sector.

Through this partnership, UB students from the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, School of Management, and the School of Architecture and Planning will emerge with in-depth, working knowledge of the latest software tools being used by hundreds of the world’s largest industrial companies — including over 330 companies in New York State. It will prepare the students for highly skilled positions that companies in Western New York, and the broader New York region and beyond are looking to fill.

“We are immensely grateful to Siemens for this generous and impactful gift to our university community,” said UB President Satish K. Tripathi. “As we prepare our students to lead in the 21st century, our collaboration with Siemens will enhance our students’ competitiveness and equip them with cutting-edge knowledge and skills, enabling them to meaningfully serve industries and communities across the region, the state and the world. The University at Buffalo is committed to contributing to the economic development and vibrancy of our region and beyond, and we deeply appreciate that Siemens — as demonstrated by this important partnership — shares in that commitment.”

“At UB, we provide outstanding educational experiences for our students,” said A. Scott Weber, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at UB. “This grant will provide students with access to industry-leading software tools that are used by manufacturing and industrial companies around the world, enabling students to immediately take their knowledge from theory to practice, furthering their skills and preparing them for future success.”

“Siemens strongly believes that partnering across the educational ecosystem is critical to best prepare a future workforce, and we’re excited to expand our efforts in the New York region by making this grant to University at Buffalo that will help ensure companies here in Buffalo and around the world have access to a diverse and incredibly skilled talent pool,” said Barbara Humpton, CEO of Siemens USA.

“We are seeing a true shift change across the manufacturing sector where companies are embracing digital tools to scale, innovate and compete on a global stage. But, these tools are only as powerful as the people behind them, so it continues to be our mission to best prepare the next generation of individuals who will propel manufacturing even further into the future,” said Del Costy, senior vice president of Siemens Digital Industries Software.  

Software already used by Buffalo area companies

The manufacturing software tools are already in use by several Western New York companies that boast a large number of UB graduates in their workforces. These companies include local innovators like Moog, Inc., a 65-year-old, Buffalo-area design, manufacturer and integrator of precision control component and systems for aerospace, defense, industrial and medical applications. Moog, a long-time Siemens Digital Industries Software suite partner, will benefit from the new Siemens and UB venture to help ensure a consistent pipeline of talent to strengthen its footprint.

“As a world leader in developing motion controls for mission critical applications, Moog understands the important role that cutting-edge engineering tools play in development and production processes,” said George Small, Moog’s chief technology officer and a UB graduate. “We have 20 years of experience leveraging Siemens tools in providing solutions to our customers’ most complex technical challenges. And as a longtime partner with UB, we appreciate the value of Siemens grant and the positive impact it will have both now and in the future.”

“We value the partnerships of forward-looking companies like Siemens and Moog,” said Kemper Lewis, dean and Moog Professor of Innovation in UB’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. “That companies of this caliber recognize the benefits of collaborating with our students and faculty to drive work force innovation is an honor and a tribute to the talented and driven faculty and students in our UB community.”

This grant to UB is one of over 1,000 partnerships in the Siemens Digital Industries Software Academic Partner Program, an initiative built to empower the next generation of digital talent. The grant also supports the university’s comprehensive Boldly Buffalo campaign, which is seeking to raise $1 billion to support UB’s students, enhance and enable faculty research, and improve outcomes around the world.

Siemens has a long-standing footprint in the broader New York region with 2,500 employees throughout the state working across the company’s infrastructure, financial services and health care businesses.

For further information on Siemens Digital Industries academic partnerships and suite of software tools, visit: https://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/global/en/our-story/partners/academic/.

Founded in 1846 and home to more than 30,000 students, the University at Buffalo is the largest and most comprehensive campus in the 64-campus SUNY system. It is a premier, research-intensive public university dedicated to academic excellence and a member of the Association of American Universities.