09/17/2025—
Michigan Technological University is proud to announce that the University has earned endorsement from the ARM (Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing) Institute. Organizations that earn the ARM Institute’s endorsement pass a rigorous assessment process by proving that they provide students the skills needed for a career in manufacturing working with robotics.
“Our mechatronics students don’t just learn concepts in the classroom — they apply them directly in state-of-the-art labs, industry-sponsored projects, and real-world settings during co-op or internship opportunities,” said Aleksandr Sergeyev, Michigan Tech professor of applied computing and director of the University’s graduate program in mechatronics. “The ARM Institute’s endorsement is a national seal of approval for our program, because they only recognize programs that meet the highest standards of education and workforce development. For Michigan Tech students and employers alike, it’s a powerful signal that our graduates are prepared to step into the future of advanced manufacturing.”
“As the nation’s robotics and AI-focused Manufacturing Innovation Institute part of the Manufacturing USA network, the ARM Institute leads the way to a future where people and robots work together to respond to our nation’s greatest challenges and to develop and produce the world’s most desired products. In addition to supporting workforce development, the ARM Institute also supports cutting-edge research in robotics,” said Vinh Nguyen, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering and director of Michigan Tech’s Center for Artificial Intelligence. “This endorsement acknowledges the world-class research in mechatronics at Michigan Tech and its integration with its renowned curriculum.”
The ARM Institute is the nation’s leading collaborative in robotics and workforce innovation, working at the confluence of industry, government and academia. Structured as a public-private partnership, the ARM Institute and its 450-plus member organizations catalyze robotic technologies, AI, and workforce solutions to strengthen the U.S. industrial base and secure national manufacturing resiliency. The institute is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense, and its diverse membership base includes startups, research universities, community colleges, manufacturers of all sizes, government agencies, workforce development organizations and more.
The ARM Endorsement Program is a thorough process used to identify organizations that are the most effective at preparing students for careers in manufacturing working with robotics. The endorsement program was created to give equal voice to the needs of manufacturers, education providers and government stakeholders. The program leverages the ARM Institute’s competency and skills framework, which outlines the skills needed for a manufacturing career working with robotics.
The endorsement criteria are comprehensive, evaluating both organizations and their programs based on the following benchmarks:
- Relevance to the Industry
- Effective Curriculum
- Efficiency of the Training
- Impact of the Program
- Program Sustainability
- Transportability
“We are pleased to recognize elite organizations for preparing workers for Industry 4.0 careers,” said Lisa Masciantonio, the ARM Institute’s chief workforce officer. “Effective training will be key to our nation navigating the mounting skills gap and workforce shortage in manufacturing. Recognizing top-tier programs will help students identify the best training for their desired manufacturing career.”
Endorsed programs are highlighted on RoboticsCareer.org, which connects students and workers with robotics education programs for manufacturing careers.
About the ARM Institute
The ARM (Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing) Institute is a Manufacturing Innovation Institute (MII) funded by the Office of the Secretary of Defense under Agreement Number W911NF-17-3-0004, and part of the Manufacturing USA® network. The ARM Institute leverages a unique, robust, and diverse ecosystem of consortium members and partners across industry, academia, and government to make robotics, autonomy, and artificial intelligence more accessible to U.S. manufacturers large and small, train and empower the manufacturing workforce, strengthen our economy and global competitiveness, and elevate national security and resilience. Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, since 2017, the ARM Institute is leading the way to a future where people and robots work together to respond to our nation’s greatest challenges and to produce the world’s most desired products. For more information, visit arminstitute.org and follow the ARM Institute on LinkedIn.
Michigan Technological University is an R1 public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, and is home to nearly 7,500 students from more than 60 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigan's flagship technological university offers more than 185 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, computing, forestry, business, health professions, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, and the arts. The rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure.