Belcan, founded by UK engineering alum, named newest OneUK partner

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 30, 2026) — Belcan, a Cognizant company, is the newest partner in the University of Kentucky’s strategic collaboration program, OneUK.

OneUK provides a long-term, coordinated and holistic engagement experience between the university and select businesses through a mutual commitment to broaden and deepen their collaboration with UK. The program aims to strengthen relationships with strategic partners across all UK colleges, centers and institutes. This collaboration in talent, innovation and support is intended to be mutually beneficial for both the university and its partners, ultimately advancing the economic interests of the Commonwealth.

Founded in 1958 by Ralph G. Anderson, a graduate of the UK Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering, Belcan has grown into a global engineering services firm with deep and enduring roots in Kentucky, establishing operations in Lexington in 2005. Anderson’s legacy continues at UK through the Ralph G. Anderson Building, home to the Pigman College of Engineering’s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, underscoring his lasting commitment to engineering education and workforce development in the Commonwealth.

“As a company founded by a proud University of Kentucky engineering graduate, Belcan is pleased to enhance its long-standing relationship with UK through the OneUK partnership, reflecting a shared commitment to developing engineering talent, advancing innovation and strengthening the Commonwealth’s economy,” said Saurabh Mehta, business unit head of Belcan. “We are delighted to work with UK’s students, faculty and research enterprise to invest in the next generation of engineers, while also reinforcing Kentucky’s role in the global aerospace landscape.”

Belcan’s Kentucky presence is closely tied to its relationship with the University of Kentucky, where the company serves as an employer of graduates and a participant in the broader engineering talent ecosystem. In addition to supporting student pathways through hiring and engagement with university-led initiatives such as SpaceLex, Belcan helps connect academic training with real-world engineering careers. This alignment between industry and higher education reflects a shared commitment to strengthening Kentucky’s engineering workforce and supporting long-term economic growth in the Commonwealth.

Since coming to Lexington, Belcan has expanded its presence in Central Kentucky’s aerospace and defense sector, employing hundreds of highly skilled employees and contributing to the region’s role in the global advanced engineering and manufacturing economy. Today, Belcan has more than 7,000 employees across more than 30 locations worldwide providing solutions across several of Kentucky’s most robust business sectors including defense, aerospace, commercial vehicles and industrial applications.

Belcan joins eight other OneUK partners, which include Appalachian Regional Healthcare, Bullard, Catalent, Fidelity Investments, Fischer Homes, Turner Construction, Lockheed Martin and Valvoline Global. Since the launch of OneUK, these collaborators have raised their profile across the university through in a number of curated engagements including sponsoring events such as DanceBlue, hosting “OneUK Days” on campus to connect with students and faculty, and sponsoring UK faculty and student research.

“Belcan represents exactly the kind of partner OneUK was established for — deep Kentucky roots, global reach and a strong commitment to community, talent, innovation and workforce development,” said Landon Borders, UK senior executive director for research and development partnerships. “We’re excited about the opportunity to work more closely with Belcan to create meaningful experiences for our students, faculty and staff while expanding the university’s impact across the Commonwealth.”

OneUK is part of the University of Kentucky’s Advancing Kentucky Together Network, a statewide framework that unites UK with partners across education, healthcare, business, government and community sectors. The AKT Network is committed to working with and alongside communities to improve conditions in all 120 Kentucky counties.

For additional information on OneUK and its strategic collaborators, visit the program’s website at businessengagement.uky.edu/oneuk. For more information about the Advancing Kentucky Together Network, visit its website at akt.uky.edu.