NJ Institute for Future Technologies Launched
Gov. Phil Murphy, President Daniel Chamovitz of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU), and President Joel S. Bloom of New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) have unveiled a partnership that will create a world-class Institute for Future Technologies in New Jersey. Two powerhouse universities in the fields of cyber technologies and environmental engineering will come together to offer dual degrees and exciting new research opportunities. The Institute looks forward to receiving support and seed funding from the State of New Jersey.
“NJIT is one of the state’s premier STEM-focused universities, and BGU is one of the driving forces behind the success of Israel’s technology economy,” said Governor Murphy. “By joining together in this groundbreaking venture, NJIT and BGU will combine their expertise and track records in technological research and development to help strengthen the economic opportunity and tech leadership that I have long envisioned for our state.”
Acting Consul General of Israel in New York Israel Nitzan added, “This exciting partnership is another expression to the vibrant and fruitful relations of Israel and New Jersey. We share many commonalities, among them our spirit of innovation and creativity. We are proud of this collaboration between two top-notch academic institutions that will conquer the future of cybersecurity and environmental engineering.”
The Institute for Future Technologies will combine the academic and research capacities of two global institutions, creating the region’s next hub of technological innovation. The partnership by NJIT and BGU aims to provide bespoke cyber technologies, civil and environmental engineering education, will conduct applied research and development, and will support innovation and entrepreneurship through technology commercialization efforts. The Institute’s mission is to deliver:
1. Education – Offerings from dual NJIT-BGU graduate (Ph.D. and M.S./M.Sc.) degrees for local students, to corporate training programs
2. Applied Research – Opportunities for Ph.D. students and research staff, based on corporate, government, and defense R&D projects and funding
3. Innovation and Entrepreneurship – Promoting technology transfer and commercialization of R&D and other intellectual property from NJIT, BGU, and other sources, including launching ventures and spinoffs
Operating out of both NJIT’s satellite location in the waterfront section of Jersey City as well as its main campus in Newark, the Institute will be easily accessible from the World Trade Center and the Financial District in Lower Manhattan. As companies move and expand operations across the Hudson River into Jersey City and Newark, the Institute is positioned to serve the entire metropolitan region.
One main component of the NJIT-BGU agreement is collaboration in civil and environmental engineering, including research in structures, buildings, materials, infrastructures, energy and environmentally conscious construction, water resources, and air quality. Both BGU and NJIT have considerable interest and expertise in the development of systems and materials with minimal environmental impact, as well as the development, use, and regulation of natural or engineered systems for the remediation of contaminated environments (water, air, soil). This is in addition to design and preparation against earthquakes and other extreme events, including man-made and natural catastrophes. These civil engineering and infrastructure/water efforts intersect with the cybersecurity effort in protecting aquatic environments and other infrastructure systems from malicious actors and cyber attacks.