Honda and Ohio State partnership to provide scholarships for ECE students

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The Ohio State University Board of Trustees will vote today on a resolution of appreciation to recognize the longevity of a partnership between the university and one of the world’s largest automakers.

On Wednesday, the board’s Research, Innovation & Strategic Partnerships Committee recognized the more-than 20-year collaboration between Ohio State and Honda. Last month both organizations signed a new memorandum of understanding to continue advancing the Honda-Ohio State Partnership.

“Ohio State and Honda have been long-term strategic partners over the last two decades and, most recently, we are very proud and excited that we have just renewed our partnership for the next five years,” said Grace Wang, executive vice president for research, innovation, and knowledge

Over the life of the partnership, Honda has provided more than $28 million in research funding to Ohio State. The university and automaker have partnered on 235 research projects in the last five years.

Honda has provided co-ops or internships for more than 200 Ohio State students and has hired more than 80 Ohio State undergraduates into full-time positions over the past five years.

“Honda is a top employer for Ohio State and engages extensively with our students to keep the intern and full-time talent pipeline strong,” said Alissa Comella, co-director of the partnership and associate vice president for corporate partnerships. “Building on this commitment last month, Honda announced a new Honda Dreams Scholarship to support diverse students in the College of Engineering and attract these scholars to consider a career at Honda.”

The $5,000 Honda Dreams Scholarships will be awarded beginning in autumn 2021 to students majoring in electrical and computer engineering, industrial and systems engineering, or mechanical engineering who are active in the National Society of Black Engineers, the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, or organizations with similar missions.

James Keller, executive vice president of Honda Development & Manufacturing of America, said the partnership with Ohio State helped grow the company and innovation in the industry.

“Besides numerous joint technical research projects, the establishment of assets such as the SIMCenter and the driving simulator greatly helped accelerate our capability and expansion and established the foundation for the continuous collaboration with students and Ohio State researchers that we enjoy today,” he said. “With new assets such as the aeroacoustic wind tunnel that’s now under construction at TRC, we’re committed to furthering the partnership for many, many, many more years to come.”

By: Chris Booker