MPowering the State Makes Middle East Debut Pursuing Innovation on Mission with Gov. O’Malley

MPowering the State Makes Middle East Debut
Pursuing Innovation on Mission with Gov. O’Malley

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley’s trade mission to Israel and Jordan marks the Middle East debut of “MPowering the State” – the year-old collaboration between the University of Maryland campuses in College Park (UMD) and Baltimore (UMB).

Both institutions are set to formalize an extensive, wide-ranging partnership with Tel Aviv University on the trip. MPowering will also formalize new ties with the University of Haifa.

“As our economy strengthens, we know we must look beyond our borders for new avenues for trade and investment, particularly those countries – like Israel – that have invested heavily in supporting entrepreneurs and growing an Innovation Economy,” says Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley. “I look forward to traveling with this impressive group of educators, business and civic leaders as we work together to grow and expand our already-strong trade and investment ties with Israel and open new doors with Jordan’s business community.”

The MPowering schools will sign memoranda of understanding and exchange agreements with Tel Aviv University. This new “University of Maryland-Tel Aviv Academic Partnership” will provide for a full range of academic and research collaborations in such fields as biotechnology and medicine, including student and faculty exchanges, joint conferences, and joint courses offered in virtual, global classrooms.

UMB President Dr. Jay Perman and UMD President Wallace Loh are both accompanying the Governor and will sign the agreements for their institution.

“Israel is often called ‘start-up nation’ for its abundance of entrepreneurial ventures stemming from university research,” says UMD’s Loh. “Maryland has been recognized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as the most entrepreneurial state in the nation. There is a natural fit with our academic partners in the Middle East. Our goal is to make the most of these possibilities, and bring home tangible benefits for the citizens of Maryland.”

Through the University of Maryland-Tel Aviv Academic Partnership, UMD will offer classes covering entrepreneurial and technical areas, as well as classes in Israel Studies, conflict management and public policy.

 “We welcome the expertise and the energy this new collaboration will bring to our laboratories and classrooms,” says Perman.  “The successes our universities in Baltimore and College Park have achieved under MPowering the State show what can be accomplished when great institutions work together.”

The agreement with Israel’s University of Haifa calls for both MPowering institutions to exchange faculty and students for research, teaching and study; conduct joint research activities; and conduct seminars, conferences and other academic meetings.

The student exchange agreements are a first for the MPowering schools – their first formal student exchange programs with Middle Eastern universities. Separately, UMD President Loh will accompany Governor O’Malley to establish student exchanges with the University of Jordan.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Crystal Brown

UMD Chief Communications Officer

301-405-4618
crystal@umd.edu

 

Alex Likowski

UMB Communications

410-706-3801

alikowski@umaryland.edu