CHENNAI: The American Society of Metals, Chennai chapter, will open a state-of-the-art research centre here, with active partnership from the industry.

The premier professional body of metallurgists, material scientists and technologists will also expand its school outreach programme and offer shop-floor training to industrial workers, the chapter's chairman Bhanu Shankar Rao told reporters on Saturday.

It is looking at offering certification courses and providing technical services and consultancy to the city's rapidly expanding automobile and manufacturing sector.

The Society was seeking to establish a global community information network in tandem with emerging technologies.

It was also building a materials and biological response database, apart from meeting the needs of the design community, Pradeep Goyal, the association's international trustee, said.

The chapter, at present, has 92 professional members, apart from 276 student members.

It was partnering with Lucas TVS, Ashok Leyland and Ennore Foundries.

Frequent camps were also held for the student community to create knowledge about emerging technologies.

The Society was also giving out annual awards under the young metallurgist and industrial excellence categories, Mr. Goyal said.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu