CAER and JMU sign master research agreement
The Center for Advanced Engineering and Research
(CAER) has established a five-year master research agreement with James Madison
University (JMU) to work together to sustain and improve the growth of targeted
industry clusters within Virginia's Region 2000.
As a member of Virginia's Region 2000 Partnership, the CAER is dedicated to
building an industry-based research presence in the region, in support of area
companies. Through a $7.6 million Tobacco Commission grant, the CAER is
preparing to break ground on a new research and education facility in the
spring of 2010 in the New London Business and Technology Center on U.S Route
460 in Bedford County.
Under the terms established, JMU agrees to provide personnel and expertise to
the CAER for administrative and research support services that will benefit the
region's high-tech companies. The CAER will provide funding through federal,
state and industry sources and assist in managing the research projects with
the university.
"This relationship with JMU provides the resources of yet another state
university to our mix of research partners," said Bob Bailey, executive
director of the CAER. "Having this added capacity only strengthens our region's
assets."
"JMU is excited about the partnership with the Center for Advanced Engineering
Research," stated Dr. John B. Noftsinger, Jr., vice provost at JMU, "This
relationship provides a new avenue for JMU's faculty, staff and students to
engage in innovative research and service projects."
This is the fourth such agreement for the CAER. It has similar partnerships
with the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech and Liberty University's School
of Engineering & Computational Sciences (SECS).