The Industrial Affiliates Program (IAP) is an innovative model of active learning that addresses today’s pressing need to blend theory with practice, education with work, and academic scientific rigor with industry’s fast pace. Founded in 1988 by the ECE department, the program is fully sponsored by corporations which work jointly with faculty at UPRM.
Proposals are submitted annually by faculty and company representatives. Selected projects receive funding of up to $5,000. Participating students are responsible for carrying out their projects under the guidance of professors. IAP holds two meetings a year: poster presentations during the Fall Meeting and oral reports during the Spring Annual Conference. For the students this is a great opportunity to present their work to industry representatives, faculty, and to other students. During its twenty-five years of existence IAP has had over 800 participating undergraduate students and obtained, as a result of the projects, donations for ECE department in excess of $200,000 in equipment and $750,000 in cash.