Drexel University
and Thomas Jefferson University have formed an educational and
research partnership called the Drexel-Jefferson Academic
Alliance marking the first formal link between a major biomedical
institution and an engineering university in the Greater
Philadelphia region. The alliance was formalized on October 31,
by Paul C. Brucker, MD, President, TJU, and Constantine
Papadakis, PhD, President, Drexel University, when they signed
the agreement at a ceremony at Eakins Lounge in Jeff Hall.
Robert Neroni Photography
Signing an agreement to form Drexel-Jefferson Academic Alliance,
an education partnership to provide programs to expand students'
experience in biomedical sciences and engineering, medicine and
health systems, from left, are Jussi J. Saukkonen, MD, Dean,
College of Graduate Studies and Vice President for Science
Policy, Technology Development and International Affairs, Thomas
Jefferson University; Paul C. Brucker, MD, President, Thomas
Jefferson University; Constantine Papadakis, PhD, President,
Drexel University; and Banu Onaral, PhD, Director of Drexel
University's School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health
Systems, and the H.H. Sun Professor of Biomedical Electrical
Engineering.
The Drexel-Jefferson Academic Alliance will create joint educational programs to prepare the students of each institution for future challenges and opportunities, and enable students to engage in research that will contribute significantly to the fundamental and applied knowledge base in biomedical sciences and engineering, medicine and health systems. Joint faculty appointments and cross-educational enrollment will enhance the growth of the shared educational programs.
"This agreement expands the ongoing collaborative research we have conducted for more than a decade into an educational relationship that will enhance the research capabilities of both institutions and career preparation for our students," says Dr. Papadakis. "The educational and research programs envisioned by our alliance will prove attractive to future students, faculty and researchers."
"Our two institutions share a common vision of the future of biomedical sciences," says Dr. Brucker. "The combination of biological and medical knowledge with engineering and technological expertise will yield scientific, medical and technological innovations in the years ahead."
The Alliance will enable the universities to diversify their joint research base, substantially enhancing their collective research capability, and reinforce ties and extend outreach to the industrial and corporate sectors. Joint symposia are planned that will bring researchers and students from Drexel and Jefferson together with industry partners and government representatives. In addition, a common information infrastructure in which the two universities will share information resources, including academic computing and library services, is being planned.