Philadelphia University Nexus Innovation Program Wins National Award for Excellence
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 21, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Philadelphia University's Nexus Innovation program of industry partnerships has won the University Economic Development Association (UEDA) award for excellence in innovation and entrepreneurship.
D.R. Widder, vice president for innovation and Steve Blank Innovation Term Chair, and Mike Leonard, academic dean, School of Design and Engineering, accepted the award Sept. 30 at the 2014 UEDA Summit in Santa Fe, N.M. The national award recognizes innovative programs focused on developing economic prosperity.
"It is an honor to receive such strong external validation and recognition of our educational approach," Widder said. "Our industry partners are partners in innovation and education, all contributing to rich Nexus Learning experiences for our students."
PhilaU's Nexus Innovation program, which was selected as a UEDA award finalist in August, brings the innovation process out of the classroom as transdisciplinary student teams collaborate to provide partners with solutions to real-world challenges.
Widder and Leonard were invited to present at UEDA meeting to share the best practices of PhilaU's program with some 220 economic development officers, deans and other leaders from higher education institutions nationwide.
"Our students and faculty have embraced university and industry partnerships in ways that are unique to education," Leonard said. "This award recognizes that PhilaU has created a singular program through effective management of our curricular objectives, our accomplished and dedicated faculty, and a keen understanding of how to collaborate effectively with industry partners."
Companies including Johnson & Johnson, Unilever, Newell Rubbermaid and Federal Mogul have sponsored PhilaU projects that have led to new insights, ideas and commercial product opportunities.
At PhilaU, innovation is integrated throughout the curriculum as part of the University's Nexus Learning approach to teaching and learning, which is transdisciplinary, collaborative, based on real-world projects with industry partners and infused with the liberal arts.
Philadelphia University, founded in 1884, is a private university with 3,600 students enrolled in more than 60 undergraduate and graduate programs. As the model for professional university education, the University prepares students to be leaders in their professions in an active, collaborative and real-world learning environment infused with the liberal arts. Philadelphia University includes the innovative Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce; the College of Architecture and the Built Environment; and the College of Science, Health and the Liberal Arts. For more information, go to www.PhilaU.edu.
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SOURCE Philadelphia University
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