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Dr. Devin Stephenson, president of Florida Polytechnic University (left), and Cheong-Hoe Heo, chairman and president of ITS Korea, have signed an agreement that establishes collaboration in intelligent transportation research, education and technology development between the two institutions.

Florida Poly and intelligent mobility leader ITS Korea form research partnership

January 13, 2026

International advancements in research and technology are gaining momentum through a new partnership between Florida Polytechnic University and ITS Korea, an association that promotes intelligent transportation systems (ITS) in South Korea.

Dr. Devin Stephenson, president of Florida Poly, and Cheong-Hoe Heo, chairman and president of ITS Korea, formalized the partnership recently, laying the foundation for mutual economic growth opportunities through shared research, education and technology development.

By leveraging shared resources, expertise and access to the specialized facilities and equipment, Florida Poly and ITS Korea will collaborate on advanced academic programs, joint research initiatives and cross-border internship and training opportunities.

“By partnering with innovative leaders like ITS Korea, Florida Poly is strengthening its global presence in emerging mobility technologies and providing our students with opportunities to engage directly with transformative research,” Stephenson said. “This partnership connects our campus to an incredible network of expertise and helps propel the development of next-generation transportation technology that will drive us into the future.”

The initiative sets the stage for robust academic and technological collaboration between the two institutions.  Key findings will be shared via workshops, seminars and conferences, prioritizing a strong exchange of knowledge. Researchers will also pursue the development and commercialization of new technologies that emerge from their joint work.

“By joining efforts with Florida Poly, we can accelerate the global exchange of ideas that will shape smarter, safer, and more efficient transportation systems,” Heo said. “Together, we will cultivate talent, advance ITS research and contribute to sustainable mobility that benefits communities in both our countries and around the world.”

The alliance with ITS Korea strengthens Florida Poly’s role in advancing smart transportation and solving real-world challenges through international collaboration. The partnership is part of the University’s growing focus on strategic global relationships in engineering, mobility and advanced technology.

“Our partnerships with leading organizations around the world help ensure that Florida Poly students and faculty are at the forefront of global innovation,” Stephenson said. “Working side by side with international experts gives our campus community a powerful platform to turn bold ideas into technologies that improve lives.”

 

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Session Details

This session will demonstrate that practical risk management is for everyone, regardless of a formal program. Attendees will learn actionable and simple strategies that are easy to implement, enabling them to start immediately by focusing on their top risks to build greater operational resilience and ensure the sustained success of their auxiliary enterprises.

Presenter Profile

Michelle Powell serves as the pioneering Risk Manager at Florida Polytechnic University, the state’s sole 100% STEM-dedicated institution. Having been with the university for nearly 11 years, Michelle transitioned from a leadership role in Admissions in October 2023 to establish and evolve the risk management function from the ground up. In this solo capacity, Michelle builds robust frameworks for our dynamic, young university, overseeing our insurance portfolio, consulting on third-party and event risks, and developing critical campus-wide training programs. Michelle has obtained the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) Enterprise Risk Management certificate and the Associate in Risk Management (ARM) and Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS) designations. Her distinct background in mathematics and engineering, combined with extensive higher education leadership, brings an analytical and strategic approach enhancing the institution’s resilience.