Rome, N.Y. – May 2, 2024 – The Griffiss Institute proudly announces the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the State University of New York Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly). This partnership marks a pivotal moment in advancing high-quality educational, training, research, and entrepreneurial opportunities across Upstate New York and marks SUNY Poly as the eleventh member to join the Alliance.
The goal of the partnership is to leverage collaborations among the academic, industrial, and defense sectors in Upstate New York, with a focus on advancing technical and professional development disciplines. By nurturing a skilled workforce and driving growth and prosperity in the region, the Innovare Alliance aims to maintain Upstate New York’s competitiveness and position it at the forefront of technological advancements and careers.
SUNY Poly brings its expertise and dedication to excellence to the Innovare Alliance. “SUNY Poly is incredibly excited to join the Innovare Alliance,” said President Dr. Winston Soboyejo. “As a public polytechnic, our university is committed to leveraging the expertise of our students, faculty and staff to advance societal and humanistic goals, and uplift all people. These ideals align perfectly with the Alliance’s efforts to expand access to high-quality educational, training, research and entrepreneurial opportunities in Upstate New York and beyond. This is critical as we continue to tackle new challenges in artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, quantum computing, and unmanned aerial systems. We cannot wait to see what we will continue to accomplish together as we navigate the endless possibilities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”
“The Griffiss Institute continues to be an amazing partner to SUNY Poly, consistently serving as an innovation hub that provides meaningful learning and research opportunities for our students and faculty,” added Chief of Staff and Vice President for External Relations Wayne Westervelt. “We look forward to furthering our collaboration with the Griffiss Institute, and our fellow Innovare Alliance members as we work together to develop and implement joint academic and professional development programs, foster interdisciplinary research and scholarship, and expand access to educational and technology-based entrepreneurial opportunities in the Mohawk Valley and beyond.”
Heather Hage, President and CEO at Griffiss Institute, underlines the pivotal role of collaboration among academic, industrial, and defense entities. “I am truly excited about the partnership with SUNY Poly, foreseeing it as a catalyst for new and exhilarating ventures that will benefit both communities and industries,” she affirms. “The significance of collaboration cannot be overstated; every member of the Innovare Alliance contributes uniquely to shaping the future of innovation. Together, we are poised to reach unprecedented heights and leave a lasting imprint on our world.” With SUNY Poly’s commitment to providing high-quality educational, training, research, and entrepreneurial opportunities in Upstate New York and beyond, the potential for transformative impact only grows stronger.
The synergy with SUNY Poly will introduce a renewed focus on entrepreneurship within the Innovare Alliance. Seth Mulligan, Chief Operating Officer at Griffiss Institute, emphasizes the significance of partnerships for entrepreneurial activities, stating, “Our collaboration with SUNY Poly opens new avenues for entrepreneurial ventures, reinforcing our commitment to fostering innovation and driving economic growth in Upstate New York.”
The collaboration between Griffiss Institute and SUNY Poly will pave the way for new, collaborative programs aimed at growing the pool of skilled individuals prepared to work in engineering, computer, and mathematical occupations in Upstate New York. Additionally, the partnership will provide an environment conducive to the creation of innovative ideas, supported by state-of-the-art facilities and mentorship to accelerate their development into commercially viable technologies.
The Innovare Alliance is a consortium of eleven entities, including Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate, Griffiss Institute, Oneida County, the City of Rome, NYSTEC, Central New York Defense Alliance, State University of New York, Rochester Institute of Technology , Binghamton University, Le Moyne College, and most recently added SUNY Polytechnic Institute; focused on accelerating the development and deployment of emerging technologies for national defense and commercial markets.
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