University at Buffalo - The State University of New York

• Print

• Comments (1)

• Multimedia

  

  Video: National Grid invests in UB Engineering. | Watch video

By MARY COCHRANE

Published: June 10, 2009

National Grid is investing $250,000 in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences to create and enhance programs that encourage Buffalo Public School students to pursue education and careers in science and engineering. The contribution was announced today in UB’s Jacobs Executive Development Center in downtown Buffalo.

The contribution will augment existing programs, such as the award-winning BEAM (Buffalo-area Engineering Awareness for Minorities) program, which prepares inner-city, minority, female and other underrepresented students for careers in science, engineering and technology through afterschool and summer programs, and launch new initiatives that introduce young minds to careers in high-demand engineering fields, like biomedical engineering and green energy.

“National Grid’s broad approach to community involvement focuses on three themes—energy and the environment, education and skills, and community development. Our partnership with the University at Buffalo clearly addresses all three,” said Steve Holliday, chief executive officer of National Grid. “This investment with UB reflects our shared commitment to increase diversity in the science and engineering workforce, provide education and career pathways for bright young students and encourage positive change as Western New York embraces new technologies in energy generation, delivery and efficiency.”

The funds will be used to create a five-year program aimed at introducing Buffalo Public School students in grades 6-12 to careers in the biomedical and green energy industries. National Grid’s investment will help support facilities, including those in UB’s new $61 million high-tech engineering facility being built on the North Campus, and fund equipment and personnel associated with the delivery of two new programs. UB Engineering will work

closely with the Buffalo Public Schools to create programs that blend well with existing school curriculums.

“Engaging UB more deeply in supporting our local public schools has been one of my biggest priorities since arriving in Buffalo,” said President John B. Simpson. “Today’s students must be prepared for the demands of the 21st century knowledge economy, like the one we are building here in Western New York. UB is uniquely qualified to prepare our students to thrive in this new economy.

“This investment from National Grid will allow us to expand programs that encourage our region’s students to explore new ideas, push new boundaries and pursue careers in emerging fields like renewable energy and green technology, biomedical and environmental engineering, and sustainability,” he added. “We thank National Grid for its vision, its commitment to the students of Western New York and its confidence in partnering with us on this exciting new endeavor.”

The new partnership has two components. The first involves a consortium of students from UB Engineering’s Student Excellence Program, the Buffalo Engineering Awareness for Minorities (BEAM) Office and the UB chapter of Engineers for a Sustainable World. Students engaged in these activities will develop and deliver active learning projects to increase public school students’ understanding of their impact on the world climate and the advanced technologies needed to reduce impact and carbon footprints. The program will leverage National Grid’s popular outreach energy and efficiency and climate change program and mascot, Floe.

The second component is a biomedical industries program closely aligned with UB’s new biomedical engineering program. The biomedical engineering program, one of fewer than 45 in the United States, will enroll 50 bachelor’s, 30 master’s and 20 doctoral students per year, beginning in fall 2010. Within five years, the program is expected to grow to as many as 400 students. As a requirement for graduation, each student will complete a research-and-design project that incorporates an educational service component—to build and deliver active learning projects to Buffalo Public School students.

The contribution directly supports UB 2020, the university’s strategic plan for achieving academic excellence through focused research, growth and transformation of learning spaces and

infrastructure on its three campuses. The plan has been labeled the region’s “big idea” and has garnered support from local political, civic and business leaders.

“National Grid and the University at Buffalo have come together for an exciting and creative initiative that will open educational and professional career opportunities for Buffalo Public School students in cutting-edge science and engineering disciplines,” said Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown. “I think this is an extraordinary opportunity for our city’s youth and I commend both National Grid and UB for making such a strong commitment to a program that will strengthen our children’s educational experience.”

National Grid’s investment will advance several UB research strengths identified by the UB 2020 plan: civic engagement and public policy, information and computing technology, and integrated nanostructured systems. UB researchers working in these areas will focus on fundamental and applied technologies, such as creation of devices that store energy produced by such alternative energy sources as solar and wind. They will collaborate with industry partners to create new biomedical devices or next-generation power grids.

“Western New York, and indeed the world, needs more engineers,” said Harvey G. Stenger Jr., dean of UB Engineering. “These new outreach programs, funded generously by National Grid, will allow us to reach girls and boys early in their academic careers to pique their curiosities and spark their interests in pursuing careers and jobs in engineering.

“Our graduates directly impact the local and regional workforce and economy. When we increase the number of students interested in science and engineering, we increase the number of students who are academically prepared to pursue degrees at UB and eventually secure good jobs in these high-demand fields. And that benefits all of us.”