Howard University’s Department of Mechanical Engineering received its biggest donation from Autodesk Inc., $1 million.
According to The Dig, Howard’s school newspaper, the $1 million donation is in connection to the school’s five-year partnership with Autodesk, which aims to further and enhance mechanical engineering students’ education. The partnership’s goal is to produce the world’s finest engineers ultimately.
The gift for the Department of Mechanical Engineering expands its manufacturing and making facilities and laboratory facilities for Howard students. https://t.co/pJCw991xCv
— Howard University (@HowardU) February 27, 2023
“Howard University is grateful to receive this donation from Autodesk in support of our Department of Mechanical Engineering,” Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick, Howard University’s president, said. “Our College of Engineering and Architecture has produced world-class engineers for more than 115 years, and this gift will allow us to strengthen and expand support for our talented students.”
The donation will expand the College of Engineering and Architecture’s manufacturing and making facilities and laboratories.
“With this generous support from Autodesk, we are further equipped to strategically expand our making facilities, which serve our mechanical engineering students and ensure that Howard University students continue to have pathways that enable them to collaborate and develop innovative technologies that serve the public interest,” Dr. Frederick continued. “Autodesk’s continued support of our faculty and students also positively impacts our efforts to train and develop engineers who become tomorrow’s leaders in education, government and industry.”
HU hopes that by paving the way for Black and underserved students in engineering, computer science and architecture, they would improve the environments impacting the Black community through innovation and technology.
Howard’s students can access professional design software provided by Autodesk and the Autodesk Fusion 360 software workshops. Additionally, the Autodesk HBCU Tech Program gives Howard students (and students from three other HBCUs) pathways to career opportunities.
“Autodesk is committed to helping the next generation prepare for the future of work,” Andrew Anagnost, Autodesk president and CEO, said. “To keep pace with innovation and technological advances, the industry needs a workforce with the most in-demand skills. The talented students at Howard University are future innovators, and with our gift, Autodesk is honored to play a role in ensuring they have the resources and technology available to prepare for their careers.”
