West Virginia University and the University of Rome Tor Vergata have renewed their memorandum of understanding, providing students and faculty from both schools the chance to foster international understanding, academic cooperation and faculty collaboration.
The memorandum, originally signed in 2010, focuses on scientific collaboration in the areas of physical sciences, engineering, mathematics, biomedical sciences, social sciences, humanities and creative arts and design.
Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources students are given the ability to study abroad in Rome, Italy, through the agreement while taking engineering courses that can be transferred for equivalent course credit in energy systems, dynamics of machines, fluid dynamics, instrumentation and controls and applications in mechanical engineering and aerospace engineering systems.
“This commitment between WVU and UTV provides a tremendous opportunity for our students,” said Victor Mucino, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at WVU. “The ability to affordably study in Rome while staying on track to complete an engineering degree is truly unique.”
Faculty have also benefited from the memorandum. WVU has hosted four visiting professors from UTV over the last five years to conduct advanced research and teach. Mucino and John Kuhlman, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, have reciprocated by teaching and conducting research at UTV. Collaboration in energy is also developing between the schools, thanks to Cosmin Dumitrescu, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at WVU.
“Research has advanced because of this agreement and this level of high-quality productivity is a testimonial of the benefits brought about by this comprehensive agreement between the two Universities,” said Kuhlman.
The commitment also joins the schools for the United States Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon 2015, led by Dimitris Korakakis, professor of computer science and electrical engineering. The multidisciplinary project brings together engineering, architecture, interior design, communications and landscape architecture students from both Universities to design, build and operate a solar-powered house that is cost-effective, energy-efficient and attractive. The competition takes place October 8-18, 2015, in Irvine, California.
The University of Rome Tor Vergata is one of the largest research-based institutions in Italy. The University, established in 1981, has 44,000 students and 1,571 professors and offers a total of 126 undergraduate programs, 120 master programs and 79 Ph.D. programs. Research is carried out in 27 different departments and research centers.
-WVU-
bmd/7/28/15
CONTACT: Mary C. Dillon, Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources
304.293.4086, Mary.Dillon@mail.wvu.edu
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http://www.statler.wvu.edu/