Partnerships should be mutually beneficial, rewarding and productive.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company partnered with Southern Polytechnic and obtained Intellectual Capital Partnership Program (ICAPP) state funding. The resulting ICAPP-funded program provides new software engineering training for valuable employee engineers in the aviation industry. After an intensive study of needs and opportunities, SPSU began a successful series of accelerated Software Engineering Certificate Programs (undergraduate and graduate) to re-skill selected engineers at Lockheed Martin. Results? SPSU gains very talented, non-traditional students. Lockheed fills new software engineering personnel needs from within their own experienced ranks. Graduates have new avenues for upward mobility and career success.

When a national hotel chain partnered with SPSU to test new reservations software, SPSU's Usability Center provided the latest tools, research and technology to support user-centered, task-oriented design. In the process, faculty-supervised students gained experience, and the hotel chain gained valuable data to improve their systems.

The textile industry has a longtime partnership with Southern Polytechnic's Apparel and Textile Engineering Technology program. The industry supports continually updated laboratory equipment that has helped secure substantial research contracts from the Defense Logistics Agency for more than 14 years. Recent research developed laser body scanning equipment for more accurate measurements for sizing military uniforms. University students and their future employers also benefit — students graduate with state-of-the-art lab knowledge and the expertise needed to step capably into manufacturing management.

Inco Service, Inc., Lica Geosystems, SAMSOG, and Topcon International are companies who partner with the University's Civil Engineering Technology and Surveying and Mapping program. Their support provides expertise, equipment and instruments for highly-competitive national and international student competitions.

Partnerships can benefit more than just an individual company — they can impact the state or an entire industry.

SPSU partners in the State of Georgia's Yamacraw economic development initiative to make Georgia a destination of choice for high-tech businesses, especially those related to high-speed communication systems, devices and chips. Such companies seek technology-knowledgeable employees. SPSU offers related bachelor's and master's degrees, continuing education and research programs. Graduates are qualified for rewarding careers. They benefit along with the companies who acquire them.

CCACTI, the carpet and textile industry research group, partners with SPSU to explore the recycling of carpet waste in the manufacture of building materials.

The Masonry Institute of Atlanta, the Mechanical Contractor’s Association of Georgia, and the National Electrical Contractors Association partner with SPSU’s Construction Program in Capstone Field Lab Work Stations. This program results in computer hardware and software that is vital for a state-of-the-art construction laboratory.

Partnerships improve a company's services, products and bottom line.

SPSU partnered with Reynolds Medical Company to research the feasibility of miniaturizing a medical device for use by paramedics in an on-call ambulance.

AquaDyn Technologies, Inc. was able to validate the efficiency of a new water treatment method as compared to traditional water treatment methods. This impacts methodology for cooling towers, evaporative condensers and fire-tube boilers.

The HVLS Fan Company came to SPSU for the testing of their giant industrial ceiling fans for performance evaluation.

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