UC Davis and Hyundai this week dedicated the Hyundai Center of Excellence in Vehicle Dynamic Systems and Control, part of the College of Engineering.

Woongchul Yang, Ph.D. ’86, Hyundai Motor Group vice chairman for research and development, was among the speakers, along with Dean Enrique Lavernia and Professor Case van Dam, chair of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. The dedication took place June 11.

The center is housed in Bainer Hall, in office space and a conference room that underwent renovation with Hyundai’s support.

Hyundai’s agreement with UC Davis is one of the first under the company’s R&D Global Frontier initiative, meant to strengthen the company’s research and development through partnerships with leading universities and industry.

The center brings Hyundai engineers to the university to learn and carry out research, supports research by UC Davis graduate students, and gives undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to mix with the visiting professional engineers day to day.

The center has two directors, Dean Karnopp and Donald Margolis, professors emeritus; and two associate directors, Assistant Professor Jae Wan Park and Zac Sabato.

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