At the College of Engineering and Computing, we understand that the most transformative innovations emerge through strategic collaboration. Today, I am excited to share how our college is deliberately building bridges—connecting our exceptional faculty and students with industry leaders, government agencies, and research institutions around the world.
These partnerships represent more than networking opportunities. They are carefully cultivated relationships that amplify our research impact and position FIU as a strategic partner of choice for organizations tackling society's most pressing challenges.
Preparing Our Faculty for Strategic Engagement
Building meaningful partnerships begins with preparation. Since May, we launched a comprehensive virtual panel series to equip our faculty with tools for effective collaboration with the U.S. Department of Defense and private industry partners.
Our four targeted sessions covered Strengthening Industry Partnerships (leveraging our Innovation Complex for private sector engagement), Engaging with the Department of Defense (a primer for faculty new to DoD funding), How to Explore DoD Research Opportunities - A Case Study in Advanced Manufacturing and Structural Monitoring (providing concrete examples of successful DoD collaboration), and Mentorship for Faculty Seeking External Engagement (rank-specific guidance on building industry portfolios and navigating IP challenges).
In parallel, we are actively collaborating with Startup FIU and the Miami-based Rapid Innovation Accelerator (RIA), a partnership among Lab22c, the DoD Office of Small Business Programs, and MoveAmerica, to connect our researchers to the broader SBIR/STTR ecosystem.
This initiative reflects our commitment to being a strategic partner of choice. By equipping our researchers with the right tools and connections, we are streamlining collaboration for external stakeholders and building long-term capacity for mission-aligned innovation.
Leading Global Conversations in AI and Engineering
Strategic partnerships also mean sharing our expertise on the world stage. At the 2025 American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Annual Conference in Montréal, our faculty led a compelling session titled "Best Practices for Incorporating AI into Engineering Research and Education."
Christian Poellabauer showcased our strategic AI integration across curricula and research with applications in healthcare, cybersecurity, and transportation. Mark Finlayson addressed cross-disciplinary AI collaborations between computer science and engineering, while Gregory Murad Reis demonstrated an AI-powered tutoring system designed to personalize STEM learning and support student success.
Our influence extends to national policy levels. At the AI+ Expo 2025 in Washington, D.C., Mark Finlayson and student delegates Azwad Islam, Paola Montejo, and Archer Amon showcased FIU's cutting-edge research in NSF- and DARPA-funded projects, demonstrating how we advance U.S. competitiveness on the AI frontier.
Advancing Industry Innovation Through Direct Collaboration
Partnership building means engaging directly with industry leaders. Earlier this year, FIU was represented at Siemens' Realize Live event in Detroit, presenting "Advancing Additive Manufacturing, Electronics, and Aerospace at Florida International University."
This presentation highlighted our transformative impact in ColRAD Additive Manufacturing with robust metal-based capabilities, High-Tech Electronics featuring space RF communications systems and Ford Motor Company collaborations, and Aerospace Innovations including our new Aerospace Engineering degree program and partnerships with Homestead Air Force Base.
The session emphasized how we equip our future workforce with cutting-edge technology while exposing students to real-world challenges through industry relationships.
Pioneering Advanced Wireless Technology
Innovation emerges from competitive collaboration. At the SMART USA Institute interactive pitch session, faculty John Volakis and Markondeya Raj Pulugurtha delivered a compelling research pitch on "Multiscale/Multistacked 3D Heterogeneous Integration of Chiplets for Future Wireless Systems."
This session brought together researchers nationwide to share bold project ideas and form powerful collaborations. Our faculty's participation demonstrates FIU's commitment to supporting visionary researchers pushing the boundaries of chiplet-based systems and wireless technology while actively engaging in competitive, interdisciplinary proposal development.
Building Tomorrow's Innovation Ecosystem
These examples represent how our College of Engineering and Computing is strategically building partnerships that matter. Our approach is deliberate and multifaceted: we invest in faculty partnership readiness, share expertise with global audiences, engage industry leaders on real-world challenges, and compete for ambitious research opportunities.
Through these strategic partnerships, we are not just advancing our research and educational mission—we are contributing to solutions that address humanity's greatest challenges. As we continue to occupy our new Innovation Complex and expand our collaborative capacity, I look forward to sharing more stories of how our partnerships drive discovery, innovation, and impact extending far beyond our campus.