Led by Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher, more than 300 scholars, experts, and stakeholders representing a variety of fields from across the state gathered in Albany last Friday to kick off the final phase of implementation of the State University of New York’s strategic plan. One of the six Big Ideas in the plan – Energy-Smart New York – aims to position the 64-campus system as a key developer of innovative green technologies and create a newly trained New York-based workforce for the emerging clean energy economy.
‘sUNY touches every community in New York, and we are one of this state’s greatest assets. Our strategic plan – The Power of SUNY – and all of the work being done today are about harnessing the unlimited potential of our 64 campuses and making them work for New York,’ said Chancellor Zimpher. ‘As part of our strategic plan, SUNY has embraced our natural role as a source for research and innovation, and we are leveraging it to break new ground in clean energy technology and prepare the workforce that will lead New York’s new economy. We are turning words and ideas into action and jobs – this is the very essence of The Power of SUNY.’
Hudson Valley Community College President Andrew J. Matonak said: ‘Here at Hudson Valley Community College, for nearly 60 years, we have anticipated the needs of the marketplace to develop partnerships and academic programs to meet demand. We’re a major part of the Capital Region economy and a proud partner in Chancellor Zimpher’s vision, The Power of SUNY.’
SUNY’s strategic plan focuses not only on clean energy but also ‘cradle-to-career’ education, globalization, diversity, research and innovation, health and wellness, and the impact SUNY students, faculty, and staff can have on building stronger communities. The broad coalition gathered in Albany today is working to fulfill SUNY’s promise to lead New York’s economic recovery and improve the quality of life for all New Yorkers.
Friday’s convening includes members of SUNY’s Innovation and Transformation Teams – some of New York’s best and brightest in their fields who are representative of SUNY’s vast institutional diversity and geographic reach. The teams are one of the central implementation mechanisms for The Power of SUNY. The all-day session divided attendees into 13 working groups that are charged with the solicitation, creation, vetting and recommendation of specific program proposals that will advance strategic plan initiatives.
With guidance from the strategic plan implementation, SUNY has positioned itself as a national leader in facilitating the development of the clean energy economy. Recent developments include:
– Last week, the U.S. Department of Energy announced a $57.5 million grant for the University at Albany’s NanoCollege – in partnership with SEMATECH and the University of Central Florida – to create a new photovoltaic manufacturing consortium.
– Hudson Valley Community College recently opened TEC-SMART – Training and Education Center for Semiconductor Manufacturing and Alternative and Renewable Technologies – which features more than a dozen state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories to train students to work in the fields of semiconductor manufacturing of green technologies.
– SUNY Ulster announced on Thursday its intention to install two pole-mounted photovoltaic systems on its Stone Ridge campus this spring, which students will help to install.
One of SUNY’s “Six Big Ideas”
Published: Mon, 11 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000 by e.bryant