UConn Considers Center for Agriculture and Food Innovation; Fairfield Adds Biomedical Engineering Masters; Amazon to Offer Free Tuition at Two Colleges in CT
/Two Connecticut universities at opposite ends of the state are launching – or thinking of launching – new programs. The University of Connecticut and Fairfield University are both in the news this week.
Fairfield University’s School of Engineering is launching a new Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering degree program this fall. The MS in Bioengineering program will focus on the application of engineering principles and design concepts to medicine or biology for healthcare. In this program, students will gain theoretical knowledge with hands-on experiential learning and practical application from industry, thus preparing graduates to become leaders in the field. The program will also be offered as a 4+1 bachelor-to-master’s program, which will allow students to pursue a biomedical engineering master’s degree in an accelerated format.
"The current undergraduate Biomedical Engineering program at Fairfield University prepares our students to be leaders in the field, advancing healthcare technology. We are thrilled to launch the new master's program, with courses that cover medical device design, orthopedic biomechanics, molecular modeling, biomaterials, and more," said Susan Freudzon, PhD, program director and professor of the practice.
"These experiential and project-based courses prepare our students to be innovators in a rapidly changing field,” Freudzon added. “Students in the MS program will be encouraged to pursue hands-on research with faculty, using state-of-the-art equipment from electrospinning nanofibers in the material science lab, to three-dimensional motion tracking in the brand new orthopedic biomechanics research lab."
The MS in Biomedical Engineering is a 30-credit program to be completed in as little as one year. Admission to the program will be competitively offered to students who hold a bachelor’s in biomedical engineering or a bioengineering degree from an accredited four–year college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Applications are now being accepted for fall 2022 classes.
At UConn, two announcements this week are gaining notice. The state’s flagship university announced that Amazon’s Career Choice program will now offer fully funded tuition for local hourly workers to attend the university. Capital Community College is also participating in the initiative – two of 180 colleges nationwide.
“UConn is excited to be part of the Amazon Career Choice network,” said Ruth Kustoff, Director of Continuing and Professional Education at UConn. “We are looking forward to providing higher education opportunities to Amazon employees through our Storrs and regional campuses.”
According to an American Upskilling Survey conducted by Amazon and Gallup in 2021:
· 29% of workers in Connecticut said they would leave their job for upskilling opportunities elsewhere
· 26% of workers in Connecticut have been laid off due to COVID
· 59% of upskilling participants in Connecticut say their quality of life has improved
· 55% of workers in Connecticut are highly interested in upskilling
Amazon apparently is taking the poll results seriously, extending an offer of full tuition to employees. The second-largest U.S.-based retailer, Amazon also announced that the program will be available to employees who have been with the company for just 90 days. The online retailer employed more than 16,000 full- and part-time employees across Connecticut in 2021, according to published reports.
“We’ve really listened to our associates,” Tammy Thieman, global lead of the Career Choice Program, told Fortune magazine. “And our associates have told us that they’d like to be able to expand their Career Choice offerings and achieve career success—and also looking ahead with what they’ll be able to do with that to grow both in the company and those other opportunities outside the company.”
And there may be something else new on the horizon at UConn.
The University is exploring the creation of a Center for Agriculture and Food Innovation to help businesses in this sector. This center would support startups and established food manufacturers, farm-based or otherwise, looking to expand and innovate with their products.
Agriculture is a $5 billion industry for Connecticut according to a study by Farm Credit East. Food-producing sectors of agriculture, which exclude industries such as forestry or floriculture, account for more than $3.2 billion in annual revenue. When factoring in businesses that use raw materials acquired in-state and/or out-of-state, the total economic impact of all food manufacturing in Connecticut exceeds $8.3 billion. Despite making up a hefty share of the state’s economy, at present, Connecticut’s food entrepreneurs do not have a resource to help them establish and innovate with their small businesses, according to UConn officials.
“UConn is a committed partner in the state’s goals – from economic development to preparing a workforce for the future,” says Interim President Radenka Maric. “This Center could serve as another opportunity for UConn to support growing Connecticut businesses.”
UConn’s College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR) is leading efforts related to the potential Center, in a collaboration between CAHNR, the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, and the UConn School of Business.
“In many ways, UConn already serves as a central resource on both agricultural science and business,” says Dean Indrajeet Chaubey from the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources. “We’re looking to expand our efforts to help food entrepreneurs succeed and support economic development in the state.”
“This would be the next step in integrating key systems to accelerate business growth while engaging agricultural producers and food manufacturers,” says Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt of Connecticut Department of Agriculture. “Providing the resources and training in this manner will not only beneficially impact the producers and manufacturers, but our food system and communities as a whole.”
The team behind this effort has developed a survey for food manufacturers, including pet food companies, wineries, and breweries to assess their needs and help inform the development of a potential innovation center. The survey takes approximately five to 10 minutes and can be completed on a smart phone, computer, or other device with internet access.
UConn seeks to expand support for food-focused businesses in product development, quality control, entrepreneurship training, navigating regulatory requirements, and other R&D needs, says Chaubey.“CAHNR is committed to the development of a vibrant and sustainable agricultural industry and food system. These efforts are an extension of our ongoing mission to serve residents and businesses in our state.”
