Hartford (AP) - The University of Connecticut has struck partnerships with several major corporations to give students a chance to handle projects for the companies while earning college credits, officials said Tuesday.

UConn President Susan Herbst and Connecticut Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman announced the partnerships at UConn's Stamford campus, where much of the work will take place in a facility called the Stamford Learning Accelerator.

They say the partnerships will benefit both sides: UConn students will get real-world business experience to build their skills and resumes, and the companies will get research and other projects they otherwise would have to shoulder themselves.

"The students essentially are working on the projects and working with the companies to come up with the answers and solutions the company is looking for," said George Plesko, associate dean for graduate programs and research at the UConn School of Business.

They won't be akin to entry-level internships or part-time work making photocopies and fetching coffee, officials said.