AUSTIN (KXAN) — The University of Texas at Austin is set to become a core research partner for Emerson, a global tech company, through an $8.5 million partnership. According to a press release from UT, the partnership will fund research toward exploring artificial intelligence, automation, energy, semiconductors and other scientific disciplines.
“Emerson has been an important partner for UT, the Cockrell School of Engineering and our chemical engineering department for decades. This investment will strengthen our relationship, further elevate Austin as a national technology leader, and push the boundaries of research, innovation and education in semiconductors, energy, AI, automation and more,” Dean of the Cockrell School and a Chemical Engineering Faculty Member Roger Bonnecaze said in the release.
The new three-year agreement will bring lab upgrades, funding for a new semiconductor master’s program and investments in workforce development.
As part of the deal, Emerson will donate equipment and technology to modernize UT’s Montopolis Research Center, a former Sematech facility in south Austin. The site is being redeveloped as part of an $840 million partnership with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to advance semiconductor innovation. Upgrading decades-old control systems will improve data collection and monitoring in the fabrication plant, benefiting both researchers and industry partners, according to the release.
The company will also provide financial support for the first three cohorts of students enrolling in UT’s new Semiconductor Science and Engineering master’s program, set to launch fall 2025 in collaboration with the Texas Institute for Electronics (TIE). The program aims to address a growing need for engineers skilled in semiconductor manufacturing and automation, according to the release.
Emerson’s investment in UT will upgrade the J.J. Pickle Research Campus, an off-campus research center owned by UT, and contribute to a new Engineering Discovery Building (EDB) on the main UT campus opening in 2026. According to the release, the new EDB will be home to a signature Emerson Lab for chemical and petroleum engineering students.
The company is also joining UT’s Center for Customer Insights & Marketing Solutions (CCIMS) to strengthen its presence in industrial technology and automation research.
“This is an exciting new chapter in Emerson’s storied history with The University of Texas at Austin as we build on our vision to accelerate automation and innovation that transforms vital industries,”. “As a company founded on science, engineering and technology, we look forward to working with UT to help prepare tomorrow’s workforce to solve the world’s toughest challenges,” President and CEO of Emerson Lal Karsanbhai said in the release.
With the added $8.5 million agreement, Emerson has now contributed more than $20 million to UT, according to the release.
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