LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University and the Foundation for Educational Exchange between Canada and the United States of America (Fulbright Canada) have formed a partnership bringing new educational opportunities for students and professors.
The partnership establishes Killam Fellowships, as well as a Fulbright Visiting Research Chair at Florida Poly – creating study abroad programs, research exchanges, and teaching opportunities at Florida Poly for Fulbright Scholars.
“I am thrilled to be in Lakeland to officially welcome Florida Poly to Fulbright’s select network of partner universities,” said President and CEO of Fulbright Canada, Dr. Michael Hawes. “I believe that Florida Poly has demonstrated a strong commitment and a real capacity for STEM studies and is an ideal institution for these opportunities.”
To build the program, Florida Poly and Fulbright Canada will focus on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) disciplines – including computer science, computer engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, operations research, health informatics and big data, and autonomous vehicles.
“These distinguished initiatives will further advance our focus on applied research and learning in STEM,” said Florida Poly President Dr. Randy K. Avent. “Our students, and Canadian students, will have the opportunity to apply and discuss international ideals for innovation, all while driving their studies and careers forward.”
The prestigious Killam Fellowships Program provides an opportunity for exceptional undergraduate students from universities in Canada and Florida Poly to spend up to a semester as an exchange student in the other country. The Killam Fellowships Program offers a cash award of $10,000 ($5,000 per semester), along with an allowance to offset the cost of health insurance.
“We are honored to partner with Fulbright Canada,” said Florida Poly Provost Dr. Terry Parker. “Their commitment to developing future leaders and enhancing mutual understanding through learning and research is well aligned with Florida Poly’s mission to train the next generation of high-tech leaders in the fields of technology and engineering. Working together, we can offer students and faculty even more opportunities for success.”
Hawes and Parker signed the memorandum of understanding during a ceremony on Thursday, May 11 in Florida Poly’s Innovation, Science, and Technology (IST) Building.
The Fulbright Visiting Research Chairs are intended for Canadian citizens who are exceptional scholars and/or experienced professionals who wish to conduct research and/or lecture in the United States.
This partnership builds on Florida Poly’s overall Fulbright Program. Currently, Florida Poly has two Fulbright Scholars from Germany who are completing graduate programs.
For more information on Fulbright Canada, visit http://www.fulbright.ca/about-us.html.