LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University announced this week that it has signed an industry partnership agreement with Bright House Networks.
Bright House Networks is Florida’s second largest owner and operator of cable systems and is also the nation’s sixth-largest cable provider. Together, Bright House Networks and Florida Poly will work to provide students with real-world learning and applied research experiences that will prepare them for the dynamic, high-tech workforce.
“We’re proud to support Florida Poly and its dedication to applied learning in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics,” said Bright House NetworksExecutive Vice President Kevin Hyman. “We look forward to lending knowledge and expertise in our field, as well as being introduced to bright young talent.”
Bright House Networks provides high-speed communication and media access to approximately 2.5 million customers nationwide. Technology is the backbone of its internal and customer network infrastructure that includes operations such as application development, video engineering and network operations delivery.
“Having the support and involvement of a firm like Bright House Networks that is at the cutting edge of technology is very exciting for us,” said Florida Poly Chief Operating Officer Ava Parker. “Through this and other industry partnerships, we’re extending our classrooms and our students’ learning opportunities into the real world.”
Florida Poly also announced this week that six additional firms have joined the university as industry partners.
The latest partners include the Central Florida Development Council, Chastain Skillman, Lakeland Economic Development Council, Madrid Engineering Group, Steripack and Tampa Port Authority. These innovative firms are part of an expanding network of businesses collaborating with Florida Poly to ensure students receive relevant, real-world training that will give them the necessary skills to become industry leaders in Florida, the nation and the world.
Industry partners support the University in a variety of ways, including offering internship opportunities, providing industry analysis, advising curriculum development, sharing resources and conducting joint research and teaching projects.
“Industry partners are at the core of Florida Poly’s mission to provide STEM students the training they need to assume leadership roles in industry after graduation,” said Sean Malott, Florida Poly’s Director of Strategic Business and Education Partnerships.
Florida Polytechnic University is the newest member of the State University System of Florida and the only state university dedicated to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The University’s inaugural class begins this year in August. The campus, currently under construction, is located in Lakeland, Fla., along the I-4 High Tech Corridor.
