Gin Management & Technology

A program emphasis in Gin Management and Technology (GMT) provides a Bachelor of Science degree in AETB through the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

GMT Academic Components

The GMT curriculum provides all core components of the AETB degree which has a strong educational foundation in business, management, and technical training.   Professionals associated with fiber processing industry deal with a wide range of sophisticated electronics and machinery; therefore, advanced technical training is also required.  This is provided in the GMT emphasis through selected courses in:

• fluid power systems,
• electrical control technology,
• pneumatic materials handling,
• fiber processing, and
• microcomputer training.

GMT Intern Program

GMT students will participate in one or more internships with cooperating gins and/or the ginning industry. This "experiential learning" provides GMT students with the needed hands-on experience in gin operation and maintenance, personnel management, and customer relations. Experiential learning works in concert with academic learning to maximize the educational process.

Employment Opportunities

Students completing the GMT option have the academic, technical, and on-the-job work experience to successfully contend for managerial positions in the processing industry. While the GMT curriculum provides specific technological training in the fiber processing area, the management and business background received for the core AETB degree will allow GMT graduates to excel in other industries as well. These include:

• other agricultural processing industries
• agricultural production
• equipment sales and service
• farm management
• agri-chemical consulting
• sales
• finance
• government agencies

GMT Support

The GMT program is supported by the Southern cotton Ginners Association and endorsed by other cotton ginning industry organization, including the National Cotton Ginners Association. The USDA Cotton Ginning Research Unit at Stoneville, MS, will participate in the GMT program by offering the expertise of its scientists and the unique learning environment provided by the Micro-gin.