At University of Advancing Technology (UAT), learning goes far beyond the classroom — it happens in the labs, where innovation and imagination come to life. From security operations to digital fabrication, robotics, game development and more, UAT’s state-of-the-art labs are hands-on playgrounds for creators, innovators, and tech pioneers. These spaces are available to students 24 hours a day where they can collaborate, experiment, and turn bold ideas into real-world projects, gaining the practical experience that sets them apart in the ever-evolving tech industry.
Innovation comes to life through hands-on creation in this state of the art lab. From ultra-detailed prints on the Elegoo Saturn 5 Ultra to large-scale builds on the Anycubic Kobra 2 Max, students have access to powerful tools that turn ideas into reality. The Bambu Labs A1 Mini and X1 Carbon bring speed and color to 3D printing, while the Centroform Vacuum Former and Roland MDX-40A CNC machine help shape and carve materials with precision and ease. For creative finishing touches, the Glowforge Pro laser cutter adds crisp engravings to wood, acrylic, and more, and the Revopoint 3D Scanner captures real-world objects for digital design or reprinting. Whether crafting small prototypes or full-scale projects, UAT students have everything they need to design, build, and innovate without limits.
The SOC is a network security lab here at UAT. Students are on a separate network while in this room so that the tools they learn don’t affect the rest of the environment. This means that students get a separate account to login to this room. Within the room they have access to our virtualization cluster which lets students create virtual computer to learn software or test security. The cool thing about the virtual computers is they have restore points so if you crash a server or run ransomware you can revert the machine before the mistake. Something new we have is a server rack with a physical server. We got feedback that students want to understand hardware so one of our professors implemented a physical server on a server rack for our students to learn with. Something in the works is setting up a server just for network virtualization. So that student can not only have virtual computers but networks to try out different network designs.
The engineering lab is where the rubber meets the road. Students at UAT get the theory in the classroom, but the engineering lab is where the theory gets converted into practice. The study of electronics is unique because we need instruments when looking at normal voltages and currents. Multimeters are readily available to provide voltage, current, and resistance value for circuits under study. Oscilloscopes are accessible if the student wishes to understand voltages variable in the time domain. These instruments are used to provide knowledge of the circuit under study to the student. Many other tools are available for students’ studies in classes, working on their Student Innovation Projects (SIP), as well as personal projects. Soldering irons and desoldering equipment like solder vacuums and solder wick are used in the lab on a daily basis. On the PCB front, in addition the soldering irons and desoldering equipment, hot plates and a PCB oven are available for surface mount devices. Both electronic and optical microscopes are present for inspection and troubleshooting of circuits. These tools enable the students to create permanent designs which could be used for years to come.
Step into the New Technologies (NT) Lab at UAT, and you’ll find yourself surrounded by the future of immersive tech and creative innovation. This lab is stocked with cutting-edge equipment designed to push the limits of Virtual Reality (VR), Game Design, and digital art. Students can explore immersive worlds using Sony PlayStation VR headsets, Meta Quest 2 devices, Oculus Rift models, and Vive Pro headsets, or experiment with the groundbreaking Apple Vision Pro for next-generation mixed reality experiences. For creators, the lab features a Wacom Cintiq 24-inch tablet and a Samsung Arch monitor, perfect for design and animation projects. Developers have access to PlayStation development kits and a powerful Apple Pro desktop to bring their ideas to life. Adding to the experience is the haptic vest, which lets users feel virtual environments like never before. And of course, no visit to the NT Lab would be complete without saying hi to Rolo the Robot who’s always part of the action.
From VR headsets to 3D printers, the labs at UAT are where future technologists get their start. Come experience the tech for yourself — Schedule a Tour or Apply Today!