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UAlbany NanoCollege hosts more than 6,000 students and 60,000 community members for outreach activities during 2012
(Nanowerk News) Helping to advance Governor Andrew Cuomo’s innovation-driven strategy to build a world-class nanotechnology ecosystem in New York, the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) of the University at Albany increased its commitment to educational and community outreach in 2012, with participation by more than 60,000 community members – including over 6,000 elementary, middle and high-school students – representing a 20 percent increase over last year.
“The UAlbany NanoCollege is delighted to once again expand its strong commitment to connecting students and the community with the exciting field of nanotechnology in support of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s visionary model to drive high-tech economic growth across New York,” said CNSE Senior Vice President and CEO Dr. Alain E. Kaloyeros. “In accordance with the Governor’s blueprint for publicly led university-industry partnerships, CNSE is pleased to see participation rising in its growing portfolio of outreach initiatives, which are designed to build a highly skilled workforce and create a technological and business environment that will fuel educational and economic opportunity for all New Yorkers.”
More than 12,000 students across New York participated in educational activities conducted by CNSE throughout the year, including programs, workshops, conferences and seminars conducted at off-site locations such as schools and museums throughout the Capital Region and across upstate New York. Meanwhile, community outreach programs served a diverse group of partners and stakeholders in a variety of sectors, from government, technology, and business to education and nonprofit.
Highlights of CNSE’s community outreach initiatives included hosting two nanotechnology Job Fairs that collectively attracted more than 1,000 participants, with strong participation among women and minorities; a significant presence in the first-ever New York State Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) Forum in Albany; record turnout for “NANOvember” programs and activities, including a largest-ever crowd of over 1,500 people for CNSE Community Day; a partnership with CHA, Trinity Alliance of the Capital Region, and Girls Inc. to support joint nanotechnology workforce training programs; leading and hosting the New York State Business Plan Competition, which attracted 120 student-led teams from 25 universities across the state, a record turnout; and hosting the 6th annual SmAlbany Small Business Expo, which drew more than 1,000 attendees to CNSE’s Albany NanoTech Complex.
CNSE’s educational outreach initiatives were highlighted by the launch of the nation’s first nanotechnology-based Eureka!® program in partnership with Girl’s Inc. and SEFCU; awarding of the first-ever “Be the Change for Kids” Innovation Awards through a partnership with the New York State School Boards Association; a collaboration with the Children’s Museum of Science and Technology (CMOST) to bring the national Nano exhibit to the Capital Region; CNSE’s popular NanoCareer Day program, which served over 1,200 students from more than 40 schools; graduation of 15 Albany High School students from the groundbreaking “NanoHigh program, which brings to 90 the number of graduates in the five years since the program was implemented; participation by Newburgh Enlarged City School District students in the Institute of Nanoscale Technology and Youth (INTY) Summer Residence program serving at-risk students; a weeklong series of activities during National NanoDays 2012; and a partnership with CMOST on Summer NanoCamps as part of the museum’s “Girls in Science and Technology” program.
About CNSE
The UAlbany CNSE is the first college in the world dedicated to education, research, development and deployment in the emerging disciplines of nanoscience, nanoengineering, nanobioscience and nanoeconomics. With more than $14 billion in high-tech investments, CNSE represents the world’s most advanced university-driven research enterprise, offering students a one-of-a-kind academic experience and providing over 300 corporate partners with access to an unmatched ecosystem for leading-edge R&D and commercialization of nanoelectronics and nanotechnology innovations. CNSE’s footprint spans upstate New York, including its Albany NanoTech Complex, an 800,000-square-foot megaplex with the only fully-integrated, 300mm wafer, computer chip pilot prototyping and demonstration line within 85,000 square feet of Class 1 capable cleanrooms. More than 2,700 scientists, researchers, engineers, students and faculty work here, from companies including IBM, Intel, GlobalFoundries, SEMATECH, Samsung, TSMC, Toshiba, Applied Materials, Tokyo Electron, ASML and Lam Research. An expansion now underway, part of which will house the world’s first Global 450mm Consortium, will add nearly 500,000 square feet of next-generation infrastructure, an additional 50,000 square feet of Class 1 capable cleanrooms, and more than 1,000 scientists, researchers and engineers from CNSE and global corporations. In addition, CNSE’s Solar Energy Development Center in Halfmoon provides a prototyping and demonstration line for next-generation CIGS thin-film solar cells, supporting its leadership of the U.S. Photovoltaic Manufacturing Consortium (PVMC). CNSE’s Smart System Technology and Commercialization Center of Excellence (STC) in Rochester offers state-of-the-art capabilities for MEMS fabrication and packaging. CNSE also co-founded and manages operations at the Computer Chip Commercialization Center at SUNYIT in Utica and is a co-founder of the Nanotechnology Innovation and Commercialization Excelerator in Syracuse. For information, visit www.cnse.albany.edu.
Source: CNSE