Inspiring student interest and achievement in sophisticated electronics technologies has earned Indian River State College the 2008 SAME-TEC Innovative Program Award. The national award recognized IRSC's Robotics and Photonics Institute for innovation in motivating and retaining students in advanced technology.

"Dispelling the notion that electronics education programs are associated with televisions and stereo systems, the IRSC Robotics and Photonics Institute prepares students for rewarding careers in engineering and emerging technologies," said Dr. Chrys Panayiotou, Chair of the IRSC Electronics Engineering Department.

IRSC students are introduced to the use of robots in ocean and space exploration, biomedical research, homeland security and advanced manufacturing. The Institute also focuses on photonics, the use of light in almost every industry from laser eye surgery to smart missiles to fiber optic cable. A leader in photonics education, IRSC is a partner in the National Center for Optics and Photonics Education (OP-TEC).

The Indian RiverState College Robotics and Photonics Institute is offered at the College's Kight Center for Emerging Technologies at the Main Campus in Fort Pierce. Fall 2008 classes for the College's Advanced Technology Institutes begin on August 25 and meet on Monday through Thursday mornings, allowing students to earn an Associate in Science degree in less than two years.

The 2008 SAME-TEC Innovative Program Award was recently presented to Dr. Panayiotou and Jose Farinos, Dean of the IRSC Advanced Technology Division, at the SAME-TEC Advanced Technological Education Conference. The event is sponsored by the MATEC Networks National Resource Center, OP-TEC, and the National Center for Telecommunications Technologies (NCTT).