HCSLA's global partnerships foster interdisciplinary research, academic exchange, and innovation with institutions in Europe, Latin America, and beyond.
Partnerships with Private and Nonprofit Organizations
Press Releases / News
The New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) and the ETCOP Institute for Interdisciplinary Research have formalized a strategic partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This collaboration aims to foster collaborative research, academic exchange, and innovation, reinforcing both institutions' commitment to advancing interdisciplinary knowledge and global impact.
Fostering International Research Collaboration
The MoU establishes a framework for academic collaboration between NJIT's Jordan Hu College of Science and Liberal Arts and the ETCOP Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, creating new opportunities for faculty, researchers, and students to engage in interdisciplinary initiatives. By combining NJIT's expertise in STEM, social sciences, and emerging technologies with ETCOP's strengths in academic networking, digital education, cross-sector innovation, and publishing, this partnership aims to develop impactful projects that benefit both academia and industry.
Leadership Perspectives
“NJIT is thrilled to embark on this collaborative journey with the ETCOP Institute, said Kevin Belfield, Dean of the Jordan Hu College of Science and Liberal Arts. "This partnership aligns perfectly with our mission to advance interdisciplinary research and global engagement. Specifically, within our Jordan Hu College of Science and Liberal Arts, we see tremendous potential for synergy. Our strengths in STEM and social sciences and our commitment to fostering a diverse and innovative academic environment will complement ETCOP's focus on international collaboration and cross-sector innovation. We look forward to creating impactful research and educational opportunities that benefit both our institutions and the wider global community.“
“Our collaboration with NJIT marks a significant milestone in ETCOP's mission to advance interdisciplinary research and foster meaningful global partnerships," said Birgit Oberer, Director of Research & Projects at ETCOP. "This MoU provides a strong foundation for collaborative innovation, knowledge transfer and academic engagement on an international scale.”
About NJIT
New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) is a public research university located in Newark, New Jersey. NJIT is committed to excellence in education, research, and service, preparing diverse students for positions of leadership as professionals and citizens. The university advances knowledge to address issues of local, national, and global importance through high-impact basic, applied, and transdisciplinary scholarship.
The Jordan Hu College of Science and Liberal Arts (HCSLA) is a cornerstone of NJIT, fostering a dynamic and interdisciplinary environment. HCSLA comprises six departments—Biological Sciences (BIOL), Chemistry & Environmental Science (CES), History (HIST), Humanities & Social Sciences (HSS), Mathematical Sciences (MATH), and Physics (PHYS)—and is home to internationally recognized research centers and programs, including the Institute for Brain & Neuroscience Research, the Institute for Space Weather Sciences, and the Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research (CSTR), which operates world-renowned solar observatories. HCSLA is committed to cultivating an understanding of the natural and social world, driving innovation, and serving the community through impactful research and education. The college's mission is to be a preeminent center for interdisciplinary research, teaching, and service, with a local and global impact on society, aligning with NJIT's broader vision of fostering economic development and community engagement.
About ETCOP
The ETCOP Institute for Interdisciplinary Research is dedicated to promoting global academic collaboration, fostering innovation, and advancing interdisciplinary research. ETCOP connects researchers and institutions worldwide to develop high-impact projects and forward-looking solutions. Through strategic international partnerships, ETCOP promotes knowledge exchange, applied research, cross-sector collaboration, and scientific publishing to address global challenges.
For more information on this collaboration, please contact:
David Crowell
Communications Coordinator, Office of the Dean – HCSLA
david.crowell@njit.edu
Simone Winter
Public Relations
simone.winter@etcop.at
Dr. Kenneth Lacovara is a world-renowned paleontologist who unearthed some of the largest dinosaurs to ever walk the Earth, including the 65-ton Dreadnoughtus. He’s a popular TED speaker and the author of Why Dinosaurs Matter. His discoveries have been featured three times in Discover magazine’s "Top 100 Science Stories of the Year."
Dr. Lacovara appears regularly on Mysteries Unearthed on the History Channel and in numerous other television documentaries. He is the founding former dean of the School of Earth & Environment at Rowan University and the founding executive director of the celebrated Edelman Fossil Park & Museum.
He also serves on the scientific advisory board of Colossal Biosciences, a de-extinction company, and is a recipient of The Explorers Club Medal—the highest honor in exploration.
- Advancing Photonics Technologies
- AEOP (Army Educational Opportunity Program)
- COMET (NJIT/NJII/US DoD Collaborative Operationalized Manufacturing Engineering and Training)
- CREOL (College of Optics and Photonics at University of Central Florida)
- CSTR (Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research at NJIT)
- IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers)
- New Jersey STEM Pathways Network
- Newark STEM Ecosystem
- Optica (formerly OSA)
- SPIE (International Society for Optics and Photonics)
- University of Arizona Wyant College of Optical Sciences
- University of Rochester Institute of Optics