New tech program at SUNY Orange
Hudson Valley Technology Development Center, Hudson Valley Center for Innovation and SUNY Orange have officially formalized a partnership to create a new curriculum incorporating applications specifically geared toward 21st century technology.
The goal is to foster the development of renewable energy programs and an energy sustainability cluster in the region.
The tech-centric organizations will unite their current business acceleration programs under one umbrella and develop the curriculum to be taught at SUNY Orange. The Center for Innovation will bring its wind power initiative into the program, utilizing both the SUNY Orange campuses in Middletown and Newburgh as research hubs for testing and development of reliable wind power.
The goal is to create career opportunities in sustainable energy and accelerate the commercialization of cluster technologies. The partnership is designed to create leverage for grant opportunities.
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The three entities entered into a memorandum of understanding at SUNY Orange”™s Morrison Hall on Nov. 6. “This partnership, with two success-driven organizations, will significantly advance the goals of the college,” said college President Bill Richards. “At the same time, it will give students opportunities for real-world experiences with advanced technologies. As an added benefit, they will get to work closely with dedicated professionals like Les Neumann (HVCFI) and Tom Phillips (HVTDC).”
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“This formal working relationship with SUNY Orange makes a definitive statement about the importance the college places on developing the next wave of high tech jobs,” said Neumann. “Our partnership will develop the curriculum necessary to expose students to many emerging technologies and support close interaction with myriad academic institutions and private industries throughout New York state, each of whom is focused on using alternative and renewable energy.”
The group will temporarily occupy office space in the Tower Building on SUNY Orange”™s Newburgh campus, where the college”™s satellite program will become a full-fledged two-year accredited campus.
Doors to the new Newburgh waterfront campus are expected to be open for Fall 2010.