Educational Partners.

The Foxboro Company of Foxboro, Mass., has been enrolled as the first member of a new kind of industry-education partnership with the College. The firm, which manufactures industrial control systems and instruments, has helped initiate the Educational Partnership Program of the Thayer School of Engineering.

The newly developed Educational Partnership Program calls for the participating company to send one of its best engineers to Thayer to lecture and otherwise participate in the educational programs. This enriches the school's offerings and increases the emphasis on the economic and design elements of engineering education.

Foxboro's nominee this year is Thomas Flint, Harvard B.S. 1927, M.S. '28, who has been appointed Visiting Lecturer for 1966-67. Mr. Flint, a member of Foxboro's research, development and engineering staff, will teach engineering design and supervise thesis work in product development.

Thayer School's Dean Myron Tribus said the program would benefit industry since it allows the engineer who participates to enter professional discussions with faculty members and graduate students on the practical engineering problems his company faces. It also keeps him abreast of new developments in his field.

As part of the program, graduate students are encouraged to take thesis topics centered on the real problems of the associated companies. One of Thayer School's requirements for the doctor of engineering degree, in contrast to its Ph.D. requirements, is the demonstration of the ability to do creative design, within time and economic constraints, in a field that is new to the candidate.

"Industry is the natural source of such problems," Dean Tribus said. "Whether the actual designs involved are useful is secondary. What counts is the educational impact of this experience."

The companies are asked to contribute up to $20,000 a year to support the partnership. The program will be limited to about ten participating companies.