Foxconn: Hosts send-off for UW-Milwaukee students embarking on international engineering co-op

Milwaukee, WI – Representatives of Foxconn Technology Group (Foxconn) and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) gathered with members of the community to celebrate 12 UWM engineering and computer science students traveling to Taiwan for a semester-long international co-op program. The co-op program, which is the first of its kind offered by Foxconn in the state, will allow the students to further hone their engineering skills and apply their learning in a world-class environment.

Mr. John Garnetti, Director of Strategic Partnerships at FEWI Development Corp., UWM Provost Johannes Britz, and UWM College of Engineering & Applied Science Dean Brett Peters joined friends and family of departing students for a send-off ceremony at Foxconn’s North American Headquarters in Milwaukee on Friday. 

“We thank Chancellor Mark Mone and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for partnering with us to help these students grow professionally and learn about advanced manufacturing technologies so this knowledge can be brought to bear here in Wisconsin,” said Dr. Alan Yeung, Foxconn Director of U.S. Strategic Initiatives. 

Dr. Yeung added: “Wisconsin’s quality academic institutions are part of what brought us here to the Badger State. UWM’s support of this program is indicative of its steadfast commitment to its students’ academic and professional success. Talented and inspiring individuals like these 12 students are the kind of people that, as professionals, will help improve the quality of life of people worldwide through AI 8K+5G technology. Going forward, it is my hope we can expand this program and in doing so deepen our positive impact for Wisconsin.”

Chancellor Mone shared, “I couldn’t be more proud of this first cohort of UWM engineering and computer science students. This is a tremendous opportunity and underscores the strong legacy of collaboration with industry our university is known for.”

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee engineering and computer science students Austin Wesner, Alex Seinfeld, Basil Hable, Cheenou Xiong, David Krampert, Doug Macknois, Jacob Brewer, Liam Brodie, Nikhil Daniels, Timothy Dachelet, Zachary Jankowski, and Joshua Sharkey will arrive at Taiwan’s Chung Yuan Christian University (CYCU) on Tuesday.

The co-op consists of five weeks of study at CYCU, covering Chinese language and culture. They will then learn about the LCD screen fabrication process and receive 18 weeks of practical work experience with industry professionals at Foxconn subsidiary Innolux Corporation, where the students will learn about various display technologies, process control, manufacturing operation, project management and applications in the consumer electronics, medical, and automotive sectors. They will also build knowledge of future solutions and end devices that could be produced at the Wisconn Valley Science and Technology Park. The students will return to UWM on July 3.

Brett Peters, Dean of UWM’s College of Engineering & Applied Science, added: “This is an amazing opportunity for our students. They will be exposed to the latest technology for LCD fabrication, will begin to see how this technology can be deployed in a range of applications, and will gain first-hand experience working at a global company in an international setting. That experience, coupled with their excellent technical education from UWM, will give them a huge advantage in their future careers.”

Liam Brodie, who is studying civil engineering at UWM, said: “My UWM courses and experiences have taught me the thought development process of how to take on a problem as viewed through an engineering perspective. I am ecstatic at having been chosen for Foxconn’s first international engineering co-op, and the opportunity to apply this learning.  I look forward to availing of myself of professional development opportunities and gaining work experience in a dynamic market.”

This is the first program of its kind at Foxconn, and UWM is the currently the sole partner for the semester-long internship. Foxconn also works with UWM and other Wisconsin higher education institutions on the “Smart City – Smart Futures” initiative, a competition in which members of the higher education community look for innovative ways to utilize technology to enhance quality of life, with monetary prizes and technical support for award winners.

For those interested in participating in the “Smart Cities – Smart Futures” initiative, please visit https://wismartcities-smartfutures.com/.