Happy National CAD Day—aka the perfect day to engineer some nostalgia—with a side of innovation

At University of Advancing Technology (UAT), we take CAD personally. Why? Because it’s in our DNA.

Flashback to 1983: A small classroom in Tempe, Arizona. Ten students. Two visionaries—Dr. Dominic Pistillo and his wife, Ann—teaching computer-aided design before most people had even heard of it. They called it the CAD Institute, and it was one of the first of its kind.

Back then, CAD wasn’t just a tool—it was a signal. A hint that the future wouldn’t be hand-drawn; it would be digitally engineered. The Pistillos saw it coming and made a bold move: build an institution that evolves with technology itself.

📐 From CAD Lab to Full-Blown University

Fast-forward to today: That humble CAD classroom is now UAT—a fully accredited private university pioneering education in:

• 🤖 Robotics and Embedded Systems

• 🛠️ Digital Maker and Fabrication

• 🔐 Cybersecurity

• 🧠 Artificial Intelligence

• 🎮 Game Programming and Development

Still small by design, but powerful by intent. Still built on what’s next.

🧩 Why National CAD Day Still Matters at UAT

National CAD Day isn’t just a nostalgic holiday. For UAT, it’s a reflection of:

• How we were founded

• Why digital design still drives our degrees

• What our students build in the 3D lab, maker space, and robotics arena

It’s not just about where we started. It’s about the mindset we instill in every future-forward creator who walks through our doors.

What Hasn’t Changed:

• Tight-knit community

• Hands-on, tech-first training

• The belief that education should be as agile as innovation

💡

What We Are Now

• Students from all over the U.S. are building future tech today

• A campus that looks more like a startup than a lecture hall

• Programs that evolve faster than job descriptions do

🚀 Why It Matters to You

If you're wired for design thinking, digital tools, and future-first ideas—UAT is your launchpad.
CAD was where it all started. Now we’re asking:

What will you build next?

So on this National CAD Day, maybe it’s time to sketch your next move.

❓FAQs About UAT and CAD

What is National CAD Day?

National CAD Day is celebrated annually on August 2 to recognize the role of Computer-Aided Design in engineering, manufacturing, architecture, and innovation.

Why is CAD important in UAT's Robotics and DMF programs?

CAD is foundational to designing prototypes, parts, and systems that students build, test, and refine using 3D printers, CNC machines, and robotic tools.

What tools do UAT students use for CAD?

Students work with Fusion 360 —an industry-standard platform for digital modeling and fabrication.

What careers use CAD skills?

CAD is essential in robotics, engineering, manufacturing, product design, industrial automation, and aerospace.

How did UAT start as the CAD Institute?

UAT was originally founded as the CAD Institute in 1983 by Dr. Dominic and Ann Pistillo, training students in the then-cutting-edge field of computer-aided design.

🎓 Want In? Here's How to Start

🧭 Come tour the campus.
🖨️ Peek into the 3D print lab.
🎮 Ask us how students graduate with published games and built prototypes.

Or just click Apply.

Because the future doesn’t build itself.
But here? It kind of does.