Graduate students in two UC engineering colleges will soon have new opportunities to gain hands-on experience in the automotive field through a new research partnership with Hyundai Motor Group.
The engineering colleges at UC Berkeley and UC Davis signed a memorandum of understanding with the South Korean automotive company on Friday that establishes the Hyundai Center of Excellence to research vehicle safety at both campuses in what will be a three-year partnership, according to a Hyundai press release.
“Through this initiative, select Hyundai engineers will join top researchers at both universities to work on vehicle dynamics and integrated vehicle safety systems,” the press release reads.
The UC Berkeley College of Engineering was chosen to house the center because vehicle research is one of its areas of strength and because the partnership will be mutually beneficial for graduate students, who will receive industry experience, said Karen Rhodes, executive director of marketing and communications for the college.
“The research is focused on automotive manufacturing and vehicle safety and vehicle controls — research that’s been an area of strength for some time,” Rhodes said.
Francesco Borrelli, associate professor in the UC Berkeley department of mechanical engineering and a major force behind the partnership, said that while the college has worked with other car companies in the past, this is the first really serious partnership of its type.
“I’m going to Korea in 10 days,” Borrelli said. “We’re going to make an impact on the world by making the driving experience much safer.”
After the contract ends in three years, the center will undergo evaluation, and UC Davis, UC Berkeley and Hyundai will make a decision regarding extending the partnership, Borrelli said.
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