Research & Discovery

September 20, 2018 | Mike Enright '88 (CLAS), University Communications

Innovation Partnership Building Officially Open

The Innovation Partnership Building was officially opened at a dedication ceremony on Sept. 20.

A view of the Innovation Partnership Building on Aug. 6, 2018. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

The Innovation Partnership Building was officially opened at a dedication ceremony on Sept. 20. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

A view of the Innovation Partnership Building on Aug. 6, 2018. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)
The IPB is UConn’s premier center for state-of-the-art equipment, cutting-edge research, and cross-disciplinary industrial partnerships. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

UConn is home to some of the most active and innovative researchers in the world. Across all of the University’s campuses, scholars, artists, and scientists are working on projects that will help our state, society, economy, and the world.

That global commitment was demonstrated at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for UConn’s Innovation Partnership Building (IPB) on Discovery Drive in Storrs Thursday.

UConn President Susan Herbst, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, various state legislators, and faculty, staff, and students took part in the morning event.

“Today, we can say the dream of a state-of-the-art facility to foster collaboration between UConn and our industry partners is reality at last,” said President Herbst. “It is one more demonstration of our unwillingness to settle for the good when we know we can achieve great things. That spirit not only drove the creation of this project, but will drive the discovery and research that take place here.”

Technology is advancing at a pace we have never before seen, and with this facility, we are making leaps and bounds to keep up and get ahead. — Radenka Maric

The IPB is UConn’s premier center for state-of-the-art equipment, cutting-edge research, and cross-disciplinary industrial partnerships. The new facility houses 10 industrial research and development centers that cover a diverse base, ranging from advanced manufacturing to biomedical devices to cybersecurity.

“As the state’s flagship public research university, we recognize that we play a critical role in economic and workforce development across the state and beyond,” said Radenka Maric, vice president for research and CT Clean Energy Fund Professor of Sustainable Energy. “To achieve this, we work alongside our industry partners, and are responsive to their needs. Technology is advancing at a pace we have never before seen, and with this facility, we are making leaps and bounds to keep up and get ahead.”

The IPB’s special resources foster research that drives the development of new and innovative ideas and technologies, and promotes the creation of new jobs and economic growth for the state of Connecticut.

“This building could not come at a better time with its cutting-edge research,” said Courtney. “Connecticut has to take advantage of the incredible opportunities out there. There is tremendous growth potential and opportunity before it.”

“What we are doing here is investing in the future of America,” said Blumenthal, “with real-world actions to make sure our country stays as the greatest nation in the world.”