FIU achieves top rank in Carnegie research classification

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Feb 02, 2016, 05:23 ET

MIAMI, Feb. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has announced the newest edition of the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. FIU moved into the top category—R1: Doctoral Universities - Highest Research Activity.

"We are focused on using state-of-the-art research and innovation as drivers to become a solutions center for our community and the world," said FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg. "As a consequence of this approach we are experiencing unprecedented growth in our research enterprise and the opportunities we present to our students and the community."

Joining the top Carnegie category for research universities is one of the goals of the FIUBeyondPossible2020 Strategic Plan. In achieving the top Carnegie classification FIU joins the top tier of research universities in the U.S., including four others in the Florida State University System – the University of Florida, Florida State University, University of South Florida and the University of Central Florida.

Provost and Executive Vice President Kenneth G. Furton credits the faculty for FIU's jump into the top category, as well as a cluster hire strategy that has brought or consolidated approximately 10 research teams in areas such as child mental health, hurricane mitigation, and research aimed at addressing environmental challenges.

"We have created an environment where top researchers want to come to FIU to work with each other," Furton said. "This dynamic results in greater research productivity and recruitment of students at all levels, and also creates a significant economic impact in our community. The next step is to ensure that our innovations make it out of the lab and into the marketplace to fuel job creation."

From the last Carnegie Classification in 2010 to 2014, FIU has grown in all the key indicator areas, including a 31 percent increase in research expenditures, 56 percent increase in research doctorate production, a 19 percent increase in faculty per-capita research and development production, a 44 percent increase in the proportion of faculty with external research funding, and a 176 percent increase in research personnel supported by external research grants.