For more than half a century, the Faculty of Technical Sciences in Čačak has been educating future engineers in automation, information technologies, and mechatronics. Many of them now work at the Mihajlo Pupin Institute, where they design energy systems and apply state-of-the-art technologies.
Regardless of formal education, an engineer is truly formed when classroom theory meets real-world practice. To enable students to work with locally developed equipment, the Mihajlo Pupin Institute has donated PLC units and modules from its portfolio to the Faculty. Although students already work with various industrial systems and technologies, this is the first time that complete “Pupin” components, developed and manufactured in Serbia, will be incorporated into the teaching process.
The new equipment will enable students to gain a deeper understanding of process control principles, sensor and actuator operation, logic controllers, and the application of modern solutions in industrial environments.
“The donation from the Mihajlo Pupin Institute marks an important step in improving the teaching process at FTN Čačak. The new PLC systems and accompanying equipment will allow students to develop their programming and engineering skills on a real platform. This is a significant contribution to the modernization of our laboratories and to strengthening student competencies, ensuring they are better prepared for the challenges of contemporary industry,”
said Dr. Marko Rosić, Vice Dean for Finance and Industry Collaboration, adding that cooperation with industry is one of the key pillars of the Faculty’s development.
This collaboration is realized through equipment donations, joint projects, industrial exhibitions held within conferences, student internships, guest lectures, and the involvement of industry experts in teaching.
Through initiatives like this, the Mihajlo Pupin Institute continues to support the advancement of higher education and the strengthening of ties between industry and academia, because practical experience builds the skills essential for succeeding in today’s dynamic labor market.