Newark, NJ - A consortium of academic, policy and business organizations led by the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) has been awarded a “Getting to Know Europe” grant from the Delegation of the European Union (EU) designed to boost economies on both sides of the Atlantic through the expansion of cooperation and trade.
Over the next two years, NJIT, through its New Jersey Innovation Institute, and its partners will organize forums on topics of mutual interest to EU and U.S. business communities, as well as policy workshops for local, state, and federal officials and EU “cultural days” in New Jersey and southeastern Pennsylvania. Events, to be held throughout the mid-Atlantic region, will include business forums on key transatlantic priorities such as cybersecurity and workforce development and will feature in-depth analysis from subject experts serving as keynote speakers and panelists. Participants will include business leaders, government officials, educators and the general public.
"NJIT is thrilled to have won this highly competitive grant which allows us to foster transatlantic business, trade, investment, policy formulation and culture," said Judith Sheft, associate vice president for technology and enterprise development at NJIT’s New Jersey Innovation Institute (NJII). “This project is a key example of the type of business community engagement and education that is a core element of NJII’s mission to serve as a focal point and catalyst for partnerships between industry and academia that further business and enterprise development in a variety of key industry sectors.”
NJIT’s consortium partners are the European American Chamber of Commerce - New Jersey (EACCNJ), led by Camille Sailer, an attorney and longtime global business advocate, and the Strengthening the Mid-Atlantic Region for Tomorrow (SMART) organization. SMART, led by Robert Carullo, promotes collaboration among the region’s technical and economic development communities, fosters ties among government, academia and industry, and advocates for investment in technology-based enterprises and for technical education and workforce development.
Of the consortium, Sheft noted, “Partnering with the EACCNJ and SMART and deploying our combined resources allows us to reach the entire U.S. Mid-Atlantic region and, indeed, world-wide audiences, through programs that truly are of transatlantic benefit.”
"It's very gratifying that the EACCNJ has been selected for another opportunity to contribute to the transatlantic relationship which is by far the most lucrative in terms of global business and investment of any that the U.S. maintains, while also reflecting deep historic and cultural ties. NJIT and its New Jersey Innovation Institute and SMART are key members of our Chamber and we are very pleased to see the hard work of our consortium recognized by winning this coveted award," commented Sailer.
"SMART has been supporting the Mid-Atlantic Congressional delegation since 1999 by conducting collaborative technology and economic development events and projects. We're honored to be a member of this consortium that will significantly contribute to our organization's goals and the overall well-being and sound foundation of our strategically crucial transatlantic relationship," said Carullo.
The first forum, on transatlantic cybersecurity, will take place in Baltimore in early December. It will be followed by forums on workforce development at NJIT in Newark; technology commercialization and innovation in Princeton; start-up success and entrepreneurship promotion in Philadelphia; the expansion of transatlantic trade in Wilmington; and investment opportunities in New York City.
White papers developed from participant feedback from the business forums will inform two policy workshops for Congressional representatives in Washington, D.C.
The consortium will hold EU Cultural Days in both Newark and Philadelphia featuring expert speakers and a variety of EU cultural programs and exhibits. These events are open to the public.
"NJIT is thrilled to have won this highly competitive grant which allows us to foster transatlantic business, trade, investment, policy formulation and culture," said Judith Sheft, associate vice president for technology and enterprise development at NJIT’s New Jersey Innovation Institute (NJII). “This project is a key example of the type of business community engagement and education that is a core element of NJII’s mission to serve as a focal point and catalyst for partnerships between industry and academia that further business and enterprise development in a variety of key industry sectors.”
NJIT’s consortium partners are the European American Chamber of Commerce - New Jersey (EACCNJ), led by Camille Sailer, an attorney and longtime global business advocate, and the Strengthening the Mid-Atlantic Region for Tomorrow (SMART) organization. SMART, led by Robert Carullo, promotes collaboration among the region’s technical and economic development communities, fosters ties among government, academia and industry, and advocates for investment in technology-based enterprises and for technical education and workforce development.
Of the consortium, Sheft noted, “Partnering with the EACCNJ and SMART and deploying our combined resources allows us to reach the entire U.S. Mid-Atlantic region and, indeed, world-wide audiences, through programs that truly are of transatlantic benefit.”
"It's very gratifying that the EACCNJ has been selected for another opportunity to contribute to the transatlantic relationship which is by far the most lucrative in terms of global business and investment of any that the U.S. maintains, while also reflecting deep historic and cultural ties. NJIT and its New Jersey Innovation Institute and SMART are key members of our Chamber and we are very pleased to see the hard work of our consortium recognized by winning this coveted award," commented Sailer.
"SMART has been supporting the Mid-Atlantic Congressional delegation since 1999 by conducting collaborative technology and economic development events and projects. We're honored to be a member of this consortium that will significantly contribute to our organization's goals and the overall well-being and sound foundation of our strategically crucial transatlantic relationship," said Carullo.
The first forum, on transatlantic cybersecurity, will take place in Baltimore in early December. It will be followed by forums on workforce development at NJIT in Newark; technology commercialization and innovation in Princeton; start-up success and entrepreneurship promotion in Philadelphia; the expansion of transatlantic trade in Wilmington; and investment opportunities in New York City.
White papers developed from participant feedback from the business forums will inform two policy workshops for Congressional representatives in Washington, D.C.
The consortium will hold EU Cultural Days in both Newark and Philadelphia featuring expert speakers and a variety of EU cultural programs and exhibits. These events are open to the public.
