Last Friday, Gov. Mark R. Warner announced plans to create the Virginia Institute for Defense and Homeland Security.
The Institute is a collaborative project between theCommonwealth of Virginia, Virginia's Center for Innovative Technology and 12 Virginia universities and colleges, including U.Va.
"The program is for all the United States, recognizing the tremendous need right now to focus on homeland security technology," said Margo Dunn, CIT vice president of communications. "The solutions to problems cannot be solved by one university, but instead by a cooperative effort by all universities."
The Institute's objectives will support the goals of the federal Homeland Security plan.
"Because of Virginia's proximity to the federal government and being host to a tremendous amount of federal agencies, we have our own security needs that are intertwined with the nation's security objectives," said Judy Napier, assistant to Virginia Secretary of Technology George C. Newstrom.
The University signed the memo of agreement between 12 colleges and universities to work together on the program. Each university will make a unique contribution to the Institute through different centers and academic departments.
Other participating schools include William and Mary, James Madison University and Virginia Tech.
"U.Va. will have a large role in contributing in many of these homeland security fields," said Ariel Gomez, University vice president for research and public service.
Pete Jobse, CIT executive vice president and chief operating officer, said the Institute brings areas of expertise from universities into "one super university" in the fields of biodefense, sensor systems, telecommunications and risk management.
The University already conducts research that may contribute to homeland security technology, according to Jeff Blake, assistant to the vice president for research and public service.
"The University has a lot of different departments that could add to homeland security," Blake said. "We don't know yet whether we will be researching new stuff or tapping in on existing resources."
The University Medical School and the School of Engineering and Applied Science currently are researching infectious diseases and cyber security, respectively.
Jobse said he believes universities have various levels of research capabilities within them. The Institute seeks funds to put back into universities to execute research opportunities.
In addition to University departments, University-related companies have expressed interest in the Institute, according to CIT Regional Director Terry Woodworth.
The Institute has a charter in development and has received interest from 20 private Virginia companies since Warner announced the creation of the program.
CIT, under the auspices of the Institute, will start looking into research projects to distribute among the universities between March and April.
The Institute "is interested in the whole concept of innovating and moving on to commercialization," Napier said. It will "be conducting research and education with emphasis on security-oriented fields to come up with new ideas to help secure our country better."
Read More
Students have federal internship offers rescinded due to hiring freeze
By Nina Broderick | YesterdayUntil July 15, no presently vacant federal civilian positions may be filled, and no new positions may be created.
Man dies from self-inflicted gunshot wounds at the Rotunda
By Ford McCracken | 2 days agoThe investigation is ongoing, and additional details are not available at this time.
Virginia primary elections feature contested race for Democratic Lt. Gov. candidate
By Nicolas Biernacki | 2 days agoEligible voters can find more information about early voting by consulting the City Department of Voter Registration & Elections website or the County Department of Elections website.
