Posted: Jun. 22, 2017 8:00 am Updated: Jun. 22, 2017 5:05 pm

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) Siemens Corp. is joining with the University of South Carolina to provide students access to an estimated $628 million worth of the latest technology.

The in-kind grant announced Thursday involves computers, robotics and unlimited licensing on the latest software. Roughly a quarter will go toward creating a "digital factory innovation lab" in the school's McNair Center for Aerospace Innovation and Research. Most of the rest will be used throughout the university's college of engineering and computing. Other departments, such as business, will also benefit.

"This is one of the most important days in the modern history of the university," university president Harris Pastides said during the announcement held at the McNair Center.

Hands-on training with the same technology used by companies such as Boeing, BMW, Michelin and IBM means students will graduate with "job offers from the greatest companies not only in the state but around the world," Pastides said.

That opportunity should also attract "exciting young minds" interested in engineering and technology to the University of South Carolina, said Gov. Henry McMaster, a USC graduate.

"Welcome to brainpower USA," he said.

The announcement represents German-based Siemens' second-largest investment in a U.S. college. The University of Maryland received a software grant valued at $750 million in 2013.

The goal is to make South Carolina the "smartest manufacturing state in the U.S.," said Bill Kirkland, director of the university's Office of Economic Engagement.

Technology is "changing the way we design and manufacture complex products," including airplanes, cars, ships and electronics, said Raj Batra, president of Siemens' U.S. Digital Factory Division.

"The difference between a billion-dollar startup and just another great idea depends on how fast you get to market. Time to market usually is the biggest and most decisive factor," Batra said.

Eight years after Boeing broke ground on its first plant in South Carolina, the state is home to more than 400 aerospace-related firms employing 53,000 people. BMW, another Siemens client, has helped expand the state's car manufacturing industry to nearly 400 companies employing 66,000 people, according to the state Commerce Department.

Continued expansion is "going to require a new set of skills for workers," Batra said. "We are committed to developing the workforce of the future and closing the skills gap."

The McNair Center was essentially launched because of a snub by McMaster's predecessor.

Months after taking office in 2011, Gov. Nikki Haley ousted Wall Street investor Darla Moore, the university's largest benefactor, from its board and replaced her with a male campaign donor, prompting protests. Moore's lone response was to announce a $5 million donation for the university's aerospace plans, after Haley had convinced legislators not to spend tax money on it.

Moore stipulated only that the center be named for Ron McNair, an African-American astronaut from her hometown of Lake City who died in the 1986 Challenger explosion.

Charleston businesswoman Anita Zucker followed with a $5 million donation in 2012, and Florence native Marva Smalls gave $1 million in 2013 for scholarships.

In 2015, Boeing announced a $5 million agreement with the university to fund up to two dozen research projects over 2 years. The projects conducted at McNair include creating aircraft parts with carbon fiber composite materials and finding improved techniques for fusing parts.

Hundreds of engineering majors use the McNair Center to conduct research projects required for graduation.

Currently, nine students are pursuing master's degrees in aerospace engineering at the University of South Carolina, and 19 undergraduates are minoring in aerospace. University students will be able to major in the field within the next year, Ettlemyer said.

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Siemens joins with University of S Carolina aerospace center - New Jersey Herald