Collaborative partnership between UAH and Abaco Systems a benefit to all

Abaco Systems presented UAH’s College of Engineering and Office of Career Services with a check for $7,500 to create a mutually beneficial mentorship program.

Michael Mercier | UAH

With its location in the heart of the Rocket City, The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) enjoys a symbiotic relationship with the many high-tech businesses that call Redstone Arsenal and Cummings Research Park home.

"The brainpower of UAH students provides great value to Huntsville’s corporate community, whether it’s through internships or cooperative educational experiences," says Dr. Kristi Motter, UAH’s vice president for student affairs. "Some of the area’s largest employers view our students as an asset to their operation, and dozens of companies have already seen a distinct advantage in engaging our students in their business activities."

The most recent one to do so is Abaco Systems, which spun off from GE in 2015 to become a global leader in open architecture rugged embedded systems. This past month, the company presented UAH’s College of Engineering and Office of Career Services with a check for $7,500 to create a comprehensive program comprising recruiting events, employment opportunities, and the sponsorship of a cross-collaborative senior design project. "We’re pleased that Abaco Systems is the latest company to seize this opportunity," says Dr. Motter. "We are appreciative of their support."

Abaco Systems is fully committed to partnering with UAH on many levels in the present and the future.

Abaco Systems has already been quite active on campus; the company is a loyal sponsor of UAH’s annual Co-op Kickoff, which introduces freshmen to the university’s co-op program. With this newest initiative, sophomores and juniors will now have the opportunity to apply for and complete a three-semester co-op at the company’s Huntsville headquarters, while seniors will be able to take part in a cross-collaborative design project sponsored by the company. Abaco Systems is also planning to host on-campus career readiness workshops to help students prepare for the interview process, develop a dynamic resume, and learn how to effectively network in anticipation of graduation.

"Abaco Systems is fully committed to partnering with UAH on many levels in the present and the future," says Roland Leder, Human Resources Manager at Abaco Systems. "This latest program is just one example of how this relationship – and the internship and co-op opportunities it provides – is mutually beneficial to our company, the institution, and certainly the students who are selected to participate."

As a counselor in UAH’s Office of Career Services, Candace Phillips agrees with Leder’s assessment. "The partnership between UAH and Abaco Systems creates so many opportunities for our students, and it gives them the ability to gain insight from professionals in their field," she says. "Anytime an employer takes their commitment to students and the future workforce to a deeper level, we are excited and thankful. Abaco’s continued support is invaluable and we look forward to hosting their team on campus."