Kent State’s College of Applied Engineering, Sustainability and Technology (CAEST) and College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) received a $510,000 grant for 3D printing and telemedicine.

The grant—a Regionally Aligned Priorities in Delivering Skills (RAPIDS) grant—was awarded by the state of Ohio and Department of Higher Education. 

RAPIDS grants are awarded to colleges dedicated to developing plans that promote training for in-demand areas of the Ohio economy.

This will be an extension of a pilot program that aims to “bring together business and education partners to fill the growing need for qualified workers in the healthcare industry,” according to a May 23 Kent State news release.

The acquisition of a 3D printer will be put toward CAEST students’ curriculum and overall educational practices.

“Adding a 3D printer will complement the existing equipment in the college and allow students to learn about additive manufacturing and the many industries it will impact in the future,” said Bob Sines, dean of CAEST, in the university news release.

The grant will also provide two portable teaching units and 14 portable telemedicine devices.

“We are excited to be taking part in this project to provide our students with new avenues to get involved in telemedicine,” said Austin Melton, a professor from the Department of Computer Science in CAS, in the news release.

These devices will be used in regional Kent State healthcare partners’ clinicals and classrooms.

For more information on CAEST and CAS, visit https://www.kent.edu/caest and http://www.kent.edu/cas.

Contact Alex Delaney-Gesing at [email protected].