The Engineering Department at Southern Arkansas University has launched a new concurrent course with Caddo Hills High School, marking the first program of its kind in the region. The class, Fundamentals of Manufacturing, allows high school students to earn college credit while developing practical skills for careers in the manufacturing industry.
“We are excited to host the first-ever concurrent course in the Engineering Program at SAU, said Dr. Hayder Zghair, assistant professor of industrial engineering. “When students finish, they will have the full training of what is needed for them to enter the manufacturing industry.”
Students enrolled in the concurrent course will gain invaluable experience that will help lead them in manufacturing. The initial class is designed to help students in three main areas of instruction:
- Safety and Procedures: Students learn essential safety precautions for working around industrial machinery and in the shop environment.
- Technical Drawing Literacy: Students are trained to read and interpret industrial design drawings.
- Material Management: Students will go through the process of receiving raw materials as they come into the shop and learn how to work with and stock those materials.
During the first half of the semester, students train on traditional machines to build a foundation of technical skills. In the second half, they apply what they have learned by working on a class project.
The Caddo Hills students recently visited the SAU campus for the first time as part of their course. “It was their first visit to campus, and I tried to make it memorable for them,” said Zghair.
The visit included a campus tour, lunch in the SAU cafeteria, and a welcome gift of an SAU T-shirt. Students also participated in their first class session on campus, which included a guided introduction to the engineering machine shop and its resources.
“It was an amazing day,” said Zghair. “I think the students really enjoyed it, and we’re looking forward to working with them through this program.”
About SAU:
SAU, located in Magnolia, Arkansas, provides students with a complete college experience in a caring environment of service, innovation, and community. With more than 100 degrees in four distinct colleges and the School of Graduate Studies, SAU initiates new degree programs to fit the needs of career and professional trends of today. As part of this commitment, SAU proudly offers the Next Step Guarantee program, ensuring that students receive the necessary resources, career guidance, and support to transition successfully from college to their chosen careers or graduate studies. To learn more about SAU, visit www.saumag.edu.
