PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 1, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania (BFTP/SEP) today announced that it has received a $600,000 U.S. Department of Education grant to support workforce development and education activities related to nanotechnology. Congressman Joseph M. Hoeffel (Montgomery County, PA) was influential in securing the Department of Education dollars that are earmarked for the Nanotechnology Institute (NTI).
The NTI, established with funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 2000 by BFTP/SEP, The University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University, represents an innovative, multi-institutional, inter-disciplinary, and comprehensive approach to accelerate the commercialization of nanotechnology in the bio-pharma arena.
Specifically, the $600,000 grant will support the development of an Associate Degree program involving Drexel University, The University of Pennsylvania, Bucks County, Delaware County, Montgomery County, and Philadelphia County community colleges.
"One of our region's greatest assets is its many distinguished colleges, universities and research institutions. The NTI model has already demonstrated a keen ability to cultivate this tremendous regional asset in order to advance numerous economic development opportunities associated with the rapidly emerging scientific field of nanotechnology. Congressional support for the NTI's education and workforce development agenda marks a positive investment in our region," noted Congressman Hoeffel.
The Associate Degree in Nanotechnology consists of several components including: intensive summer institutes (beginning in 2003) involving University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University professors and their community college peers for the purpose of developing nanotechnology and nano/biotechnology R&D curriculum tracks; and virtual classrooms, educational applications and tele-experimentation activities supported by a high-bandwidth computing infrastructure facilitated by Scientific Applications International Corporation (SAIC) and the Metropolitan Area GigaPop in Philadelphia for Internet2 (MAGPI).
About Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania
An independent not-for-profit economic development organization, Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania (BFTP/SEP) (www.sep.benfranklin.org) was established in 1982 to stimulate economic growth through innovation, entrepreneurship and the development and adoption of new technologies. BFTP/SEP, part of a statewide network supported by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, provides capital and expertise in technology, finance and business that helps entrepreneurs and established businesses overcome challenges and plan for growth. Through our network of resources, the organization fosters dynamic relationships among companies, institutional and private investors, research institutions and the university community.