Lawrence Tech expands product development program, open to local companies

Lawrence Technological University's new program, Industry-Sponsored Projects Lab, is a bit of a double-edge sword when it comes to benefits.

The lab promises to let local companies utilize the engineering expertise of the university's students to develop, investigate, or test new products. It also pairs Lawrence Tech talent with potential jobs.

"The students are supposed to do a senior project," says Pavan Muzumdar, engineering entrepreneur in residence at Lawrence Tech. "If we make this an opportunity for local companies then it's a win-win."

The lab assigns a team of 3-5 engineering students to do research that can positively impact a company's bottom line. Over the course of a semester, the team works with a faculty mentor on product development for a company. Two firms have already tried out this system and Lawrence Tech wants to broaden its reach this fall.

"This will have internship elements in it but it will be more in the context of a course," Muzumdar says.

Source: Pavan Muzumdar, engineering entrepreneur in residence at Lawrence Technological University
Writer: Jon Zemke