The Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering at the University of Kentucky, in collaboration with Toyota Kentucky, is marking 30 years of partnership, which has transformed engineering education and academic research through efficiency and innovation.
On Tuesday, Oct. 22, leaders from academia, government and industry gathered at UK’s Gatton Student Center to celebrate the milestone and reflect on the impact throughout Kentucky and beyond.
UK President Eli Capilouto, U.S. Congressman Andy Barr, Secretary of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Jim Gray and Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton were among the speakers.
“The 30-year partnership between the Pigman College of Engineering and Toyota has prepared countless students for the workforce, while also providing vital professional development for tens of thousands of employees from a multitude of companies across Kentucky and around the world,” UK President Eli Capilouto said. “This is precisely the type of partnership that will accelerate our efforts to advance Kentucky by supporting our students and industry in the Commonwealth and beyond.”
The event honored Fujio Cho, former president of Toyota Kentucky, for his pivotal role in fostering a long-standing partnership with UK. In recognition of his contributions, it was announced, the Department of Engineering Technology has been named in his honor.
“The partnership between Toyota and UK has not only set a benchmark for industry-academic collaborations, but also created a legacy of excellence that benefit students, our community and the future of manufacturing for generations to come,” Kerry Creech, president of Toyota Kentucky, said. “We celebrate this milestone with a renewed commitment to innovation and education, inspired by Mr. Cho’s vision.”
A Partnership Built on Innovation
The True Lean Systems Program, housed in the Pigman College of Engineering, was launched in 1994 as a collaborative effort between UK and Toyota Kentucky to study, implement and teach the Toyota Production System (TPS), commonly known as True Lean™.
Over the last three decades, the program has trained businesses, organizations and industry leaders to maximize value by reducing waste and continuously improving processes.
The partnership also led to the introduction of the undergraduate Production Engineering Certificate and the Fujio Cho Department of Engineering Technology, which offers two undergraduate programs: Computer Engineering Technology and Lean Systems Engineering Technology. Both programs are the result of a unique partnership with Bluegrass Community and Technical College.
Ultimately, the programs prepare students to thrive in a highly competitive global marketplace and provide the skills necessary to improve quality output.
Nelson Akafuah, chair of the Fujio Cho Department of Engineering Technology, believes True Lean™ is more than a set of tools — it’s a philosophy that empowers people at every level of an organization to innovate, solve problems and build systems that deliver sustainable, long-term success.
“The demand for increasingly advanced skills in manufacturing requires expanding the engineering pipeline,” he said. “In the ever-evolving world of manufacturing — where manufacturers must connect, predict and adapt to transition from developing products to engineering experiences — a unique skill set in continuous improvement and creative problem-solving is needed.”
Looking Ahead: The Future of True Lean
With ongoing collaborations between UK and Toyota, the program is poised to continue leading the charge in lean education and application — ensuring Kentucky remains at the forefront of operational excellence.
“At the Pigman College of Engineering, our Bachelor of Science in Lean Systems Engineering Technology degree program prepares graduates to address the growing demand for engineers with formal lean systems training,” said Rudy Buchheit, the Dr. Rebecca Burchett Liebert Dean of UK Engineering. “This program expands our curriculum and deepens our engagement with business and industry. Our longstanding partnership with Toyota results in a distinctive stream of professionals who emerge from the global talent pipeline grounded in lean principles able to meet the evolving needs of companies everywhere.”
You can learn more about the Fujio Cho Department of Engineering Technology here.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.
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