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Posted: 4/12/01

Pre-Engineering Transfer Program between A&M International, Texas A&M University Look College of Engineering Launches in Fall

 

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This Fall, Texas A&M International University students will be able to engineer themselves a brighter future through a new cooperative transfer program between A&M International and the Texas A&M University Dwight Look College of Engineering.

The two universities have signed a Memorandum of Agreement for a pre-engineering program at A&M International that will allow students to take courses that will prepare them for possible admission into the Look College of Engineering at A&M in College Station.

A&M International president Dr. Charles Jennett, himself a licensed engineer, said the effort is an historic one for the University and an important first step to developing a long-term commitment to engineering education at the University.

"We know there is a tremendous interest in engineering locally and believe that we will provide many students with an important local access to a strong preparation program for possible transfer to the prestigious Look College of Engineering at A&M. This initiative is a matter of great personal pride for me and I look forward to welcoming some of our first students," Dr. Jennett said.

Dr. C. Roland Haden, vice chancellor and dean of engineering at Texas A&M University, said the Memorandum of Agreement is indicative of A&M's commitment to helping its South Texas institutions provide cooperative initiatives to address local and regional needs.

"This is perhaps the fastest-growing region of Texas and we all need to work together to provide the educational services needed by South Texans," Dr. Haden said.

A&M International dean of the College of Science and Technology, Dr. Juan Homero Hinojosa, said the pre-engineering program will be available this Fall and will be available in two options.

"The program will be offered in Option 1 and Option 2. Option 1 is a two-year pre-engineering program which, upon successful completion of these two years, will position the student for consideration for acceptance into the second or sophomore year of engineering study at College Station.

"Option 2 is a more intensive one-year program that would prepare the student for consideration for acceptance into the second year of engineering study at College Station. Both programs involve some summer study at TAMU," he explained.

Dr. Hinojosa noted that the A&M International pre-engineering program will help address growing local interest by students intent on studying engineering.

"This is an important effort to offer a program that has high local demand and interest. Our student recruiters indicate that in their visits to local and area high schools, engineering is one of the top majors students request. We've had considerable community support for this initiative and we know that employment opportunities in this region for engineering graduates will be readily available," Hinojosa said.

Hinojosa said the University hopes to be able to continue to grow the program into an eventual stand-alone offering.

"This is a long-cherished dream of ours, which with the concurrence of our Board of Regents and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, we hope will some day become a reality. The launch of this pre-engineering curriculum is a strong, positive move in that direction," he said.

A&M has been a national leader in engineering education throughout its history. From its beginning in 1876, the mechanical arts have held a

prominent place in the curriculum, and for several decades, the Dwight Look College of Engineering has enjoyed excellent ratings.

Thousands of graduates hold high-level positions in the nation's leading industries, and Texas A&M engineering graduates are highly recruited nationwide. Over 7,400 undergraduates (including over 1,400 women), and over 1,700 graduate students are enrolled.

For additional information on the pre-engineering curriculum launching this Fall at A&M International, please contact the College of Science and Technology at 326.2440, visit offices located in Dr. F. M. Canseco Hall 301 or email to engineering@tamiu.edu

University office hours are from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.


Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu