UAFS adding smart manufacturing program

FORT SMITH, ARK (KNWA/KFTA) — The University of Arkansas-Fort Smith is adding a new smart manufacturing program spearheaded by the College of Business and Industry and is designed to blend business, engineering, and data science to equip students for the future of manufacturing.

Latisha Settlage, Dean of the College of Business and Industry at UAFS, said the new program is a combination of business curriculum, various engineering courses, and data science with a focus on combining people and technology for productivity.

The process started after the college received $1 million from ABB. This investment was geared towards the development of a curriculum tailored to meet the demands of the evolving landscape of smart manufacturing.

“There should be ample job opportunities to really build new programs to serve the local region, to build out a new type of manufacturing industry. 4.0 is really the future of manufacturing for the River Valley and beyond,” Settlage said.

The program is set to begin by the 2025 academic year.

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