Dr. Devin Stephenson (right), president of Florida Polytechnic University, and Ramon Zabala, director of powertrain, proving ground and facility management of Applus+ IDIADA, sign a memorandum of understanding at the company’s location near Barcelona, Spain, on Wednesday, May 14. The partnership with IDIADA, a global leader in automotive design, testing, engineering and homologation services, will provide advanced research and internship opportunities for the University community.
BARCELONA, Spain – Florida Polytechnic University and Applus+ IDIADA, a global leader in automotive design, engineering, testing and homologation services, have established a strategic partnership to expand educational and research opportunities on an international scale.
Dr. Devin Stephenson, president of Florida Poly, and Ramon Zabala, director of powertrain, proving ground and facility management of Applus+ IDIADA, formalized the collaboration by signing a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday, May 14 at the company’s state-of-the-art facility near Barcelona, Spain. The collaboration builds upon both institutions' shared commitment to innovation, especially in the fields of electric, connected, and autonomous vehicle technologies.
“This partnership reflects our bold-thinking approach to global engagement and future-focused research,” Stephenson said. “By working together with Applus+ IDIADA, we are creating powerful new opportunities for our students and faculty to gain real-world experience and make impactful contributions to the next generation of mobility.”
The agreement paves the way for joint research initiatives, student internships, faculty and student exchanges, and the development of innovative educational programs designed to meet the rapidly evolving needs of the automotive and engineering industries.
“Our goal is to empower students and faculty to engage in meaningful, hands-on experiences that will shape the future of technology and engineering,” Stephenson said.
Applus+ IDIADA works with leading automotive manufacturers and emerging technology companies to develop sustainable and safer mobility solutions.
“This strategic partnership with Florida Polytechnic University creates a powerful synergy between industry expertise and academic excellence,” said Mike Smith, chairman at Applus+. “Applus+ IDIADA is committed to advancing the future of mobility through cutting-edge transportation research and development. By joining forces with Florida Poly’s brilliant minds, we’ll accelerate breakthrough technologies while offering students immersive, hands-on experience in real-world automotive challenges.”
The new collaboration agreement focuses on five key areas of joint activity:
“Our collaboration will strengthen transportation research initiatives that not only advance vehicle design and engineering but also help shape the next generation of mobility solutions that meet global demands for safety, sustainability, and intelligent transportation systems,” Smith said.
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Lydia Guzmán
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