All Those in Favor, Say "Aye"!

by Rebecca Minjarez

New academic agreements bring more together than top administrators for a nice lunch – they generate opportunities for students and the local workforce of San Antonio. Over this past spring semester, two agreement-signing ceremonies were held at the University of the Incarnate Word. One marked the development of a new undergraduate program, and the other opened another door to students who want to study and travel abroad.

New Equipment Engineering program developed in joint effort

In early April, UIW along with Northwest Vista College in San Antonio and Philips Semiconductors of San Antonio joined forces to help employees and area citizens develop the skills necessary for success in a vital, high-tech industry.

The business partnership that was formed was the first of its kind in higher education. Together this private university, community college and industry are now jointly offering a Bachelor of Science degree in Equipment Engineering.

Northwest Vista College, a college of the Alamo Community College District, currently offers a Certificate of Completion and an Associate of Applied Science degree in Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology. With this new partnership, NVC students now have a seamless transfer to UIW to obtain a bachelor’s degree.

This cutting-edge, high technology program prepares students for entry to mid-level positions in the industry, which produces integrated circuits for digital electronics used in computers, satellite television technology, cellular phones and other products.

The program was created to answer a growing need for highly skilled people in the industry. This comprehensive program prepares students by providing both in-class instruction as well as on-site, hands-on active learning.

Classes are being offered through the UIW Adult Degree Completion Program (ADCaP) on a flexible schedule that fits the students’ needs. The classes are primarily being held on the Northwest Vista campus and at Philips Semiconductors. Classes for the new program began this summer.

(From left to right) Dr. Jacqueline Claunch, President of Northwest Vista College, Dr. Louis J. Agnese Jr., President of UIW, and Mr. Ajit Manocha, Senior Vice President of USA Operations for Philips Semiconductors, converse during the agreement signing involving their respective organizations on April 16 at UIW.

UIW signs sister school agreement with Taiwanese technology institute

The University of the Incarnate Word kept its key slogan "The Universe is Yours" alive with the decision to sign an exchange agreement with Chien Kuo Institute of Technology in Taiwan in April. UIW has signed over 60 sister school agreements in more than 20 countries in the last 12 years.Over a dozen representatives from the Taiwanese institute were in San Antonio for the agreement signing ceremony held the afternoon of April 23 in the UIW International Conference Center.

According to the agreement signed, “UIW will exchange professors, students, and researchers with the sister school for the purpose of teaching.”

Those attending the agreement signing included: Dr. Louis J. Agnese Jr., UIW President; Dr. Jia-Ming Shyu, President of Chien Kuo Institute of Technology; Dr. Rung-Ching Chen, CKI Director of Computer Center; and Dr. Frances Chang, CKI Chairperson of the Department of Applied Foreign Languages.