LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — Honda is celebrating 25 years of partnership with Ohio State University with a major donation to Lima’s Engineering Education and Manufacturing Center.
The company donated $100,000 to Ohio State Lima to purchase new robots to expand the lab at the center. The robots will help students in the Engineering Education program gain valuable real-world experience. Honda’s investment benefits not only current students but also their future workforce, as the equipment will help train students for careers in manufacturing.
“We do have the demand, and the earlier we can get them with the hands on experience, the better that they're going to be able to learn throughout their college years, as well as into ramping up into Honda experience or other manufacturers as well. Well, it's really about being committed to the students in the state and to manufacturing in the state. Of course, we'd like to recruit these students, but it's really about making manufacturing strong,” said Bob Nelson, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Company.
Because of the donation, Ohio State Lima has named the robotics lab after the longtime Ohio manufacturer.
“The partnerships that we're seeing with some of our local manufacturers really allow us to believe that they know that what we're doing is what's best for our community, and that's really what we're designed to do. We're a land grant institution. We are designed and operated for our community's benefit. So that's what I'm really excited to see, is the way in which these manufacturers believe in what we're doing and helping to support us,” said Dr. Margaret Young, dean of Ohio State Lima.
In addition to the Lima campus, Honda also donated $100,000 to engineering and technology programs at three other Ohio State regional campuses.
