April 14, 2009

Contact: Amy Hewes
College of Engineering
805-756-6402
ahewes@calpoly.edu

Cal Poly Launches First Summer Academy for Working Engineers

Working professionals can hone their job skills this summer thanks to Cal Poly Engineering. For the first time ever, Cal Poly is offering an Engineering Summer Academy, which features more than 35 different courses, including wind power engineering, robotics, black belt java, sustainability for engineering and a radio frequency identification workshop.

The Academy runs for two weeks with three-day seminars offered Wednesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The first session will be held July 22-24 and the second session is July 29-31.

Zahed Sheikh, director of corporate relations at the Project Based Learning Institute, is coordinating this year's academy. According to Sheikh, the College of Engineering decided to start this program because of the opportunity to utilize Cal Poly's professional and educational resources.

"With many companies downsizing their workforce, it is imperative that the productivity of the remaining people be enhanced," Sheikh said. "Our well proven method of learn by doing is ideally suited to provide engineers with skills they can use in their profession."

Most courses included a significant hands-on component, such as writing computer programming or performing specific experiments. Working professionals who attend the academy will leave with enhanced skills and the ability to be more productive at work said Sheikh. Participants also will have the opportunity to network with engineers from other companies and build a direct relationship with Cal Poly and its faculty.

For more information or to sign up for the Engineering Summer Academy visit
eng-academy.calpoly.edu. The site lists course descriptions, instructor bios, a link to registration for the program and information about Cal Poly and San Luis Obispo. Registration costs range from $1,000 to $1,300 depending on course duration.

If you have additional questions about the Academy you can contact Sheikh at 805-756-6225 or at zsheikho@calpoly.edu.

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