Tennessee Tech is entering a new partnership with United Cleanup Oak Ridge.
University president Phil Oldham said the partnership came about because the university had been encouraged to relaunch its nuclear engineering program.
He said the partnership with UCOR will help with the relaunch because they can provide the university with insights into the industry, and provide students with experience and opportunity through internships and co-ops.
“Partnerships like this really benefit the company because it gives them the opportunity to interact with students early in the educational process,” Oldham said. “It helps the institution because they can provide us input into shaping the program in ways that are most beneficial for students and for industry partners.
Oldham said that UCOR will be a great partner because they are a leader in cleanup services as well as other services in the industry. He said UCOR is a state-of-the-art company and a major employer in Tennessee, which is important to everyone involved.
“Governor Lee has already indicated a desire for Tennessee to be a leader in nuclear energy. Not just production, but in all aspects of that Industry,” Oldham said. “And so it’s a state priority, it’s important to Tennessee, it’s important to all of us here, and we want to make sure our students get that kind of an opportunity.
UCOR Communications Manager Chris Caldwell said the company has been working with Tennessee Tech for years now, and this partnership is also an opportunity to grow that relationship.
“When we heard that Tennessee Tech was going to be expanding its engineering program to add a nuclear engineering degree, it seemed like the perfect time to revisit our existing partnership and see where we could expand those opportunities and support that nuclear engineering degree.” Caldwell said, “While at the same time still looking at the other engineering disciplines that Tennessee Tech offers.”
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