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MIAMI (Dec. 13, 2005)— FIU announced today that
it has signed two Agreements with the United States Southern
Command and the Army to collaborate and develop scientific
and technical assistance programs in the U.S. and Latin
America. The agreements were signed during the official
launching of a new, university-wide Applied Research Center
(ARC) at FIU that will direct FIU research expertise to
solve real-world problems in the areas of defense support
technologies, energy production, environmental cleanup,
and nuclear waste management and remediation.
The first
agreement, signed by Addison D. Davis, Deputy Assistant
Secretary of the Army Environment, Safety and Occupational
Health, formally establishes a partnership with the Army
to develop innovative programs to promote military cooperation
and knowledge sharing. This program’s mission is
intended to foster opportunities of regional collaboration
in addressing issues associated with military impacts on
the environment and the enhanced use of renewable energy
sources.
“FIU has the largest Hispanic student population
of any university in the country,” remarked Davis,
during his speech at the ARC Launching Ceremony, “that
knowledge-base of the region, as well as the respect and
prestige FIU has in Latin America, make it a logical partner
when it comes to working on issues and projects in the
region.”
Through this program, FIU will work with
the U.S. Army to research and develop new strategies to
help the Army transform its military installations and
facilities into models of the 21st Century for cost effectiveness
and environmental and energy efficiency.
“I am a strong believer in the power of partnerships
and FIU provides an important service and approach when
it comes to developing key relationships,” continued
Davis, “the US Army has appreciated its partnership
with FIU and we look forward to our continued work in the
future and wish you success on the endeavors of this new
Applied Research Center.”
The second agreement, signed
by Brigadier General Kenneth J. Glueck, Chief-of-Staff
for United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), establishes
a partnership to advance technology development, training,
socioeconomic and political analysis, academic conferences,
workshops, symposia and technical assistance with allies
in the Western Hemisphere. Under the agreement, the partnership
will consider expanding projects in the Western Hemisphere
that promote democratic values and principles and foster
respect for human rights.
“Our major federal partners [US Army, SOUTHCOM,
the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy]
have demonstrated over and over again their commitment
to this university’s applied research mission, recognized
the value of our product, and invested in the future of
our students” said Executive
Director of FIU’s Applied Research Center, Harlan
Sands.
In his role as head of FIU's largest externally
funded applied research enterprise, Sands facilitates delivery
of more than $17 million in ongoing applied research grants
and contracts in areas of energy, environment and military
technologies. He leads a staff of 120 researchers, staff
and students.
“As the 20th largest academic institution in the country, we have a special
opportunity to help address some of the nation’s critical scientific, technical,
and policy challenges in the coming years, particularly in the hard sciences
and engineering fields,” continued Sands, “the goal of the new FIU
Applied Research Center is to bring together FIU’s growing applied research
capabilities to target critical national priorities in environmental remediation,
regional energy security, and defense technologies.”
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