Honor recognizes programs to boost local economy
Florida International University
has been named a winner of the Second Annual Beacon Awards in
recognition of its programs that
have helped strengthen the local economy.
The Education Award is presented
to the institution that has developed and implemented the most
innovative new education programs
that
address one or more of the One Community One Goal (OCOG) target
industries of The Beacon Council, Miami-Dade County’s economic
development agency.
“As a university that is intimately
tied to its community and committed to improving the quality
of life enjoyed by its residents, we are
honored to receive this distinguished award,” said Modesto
A. Maidique, president of FIU. “FIU is well aware that
its future is closely tied to the economic health of our state
and
community, and we will continue to do everything in our power
to improve it.”
FIU was recognized for its programs
in the School of Nursing and the Department of Biomedical Engineering,
which address the
OCOG
target industries of the biomedical and healthcare services.
The Department of Biomedical Engineering,
which was established in fall 2003, offers bachelor’s and master’s
degrees and will introduce a doctoral program next fall. The
department,
which works closely with clinical and industry partners, is playing
an important role expanding multidisciplinary research efforts
at FIU, technology creation and commercialization, regional economic
development and partnership with biotechnology companies and
hospitals.
The FIU School of Nursing has initiated
innovative programs to
educate more nurses in response to one of South Florida’s—and
the nation’s—worst-ever nursing shortages. These
programs include its Foreign Physicians Nursing Program (the
first in the
nation), Nurse Anesthetist Program and PRIDE Project. Next fall
it will introduce a doctoral program in nursing, which will directly
bolster the ability to educate new nurses.
A total of 12 Beacon Awards, including
10 target industry awards for local companies, will be presented
on Jan. 29, 2004 at 6:30
p.m. at the J.W. Marriott Hotel, 1109 Brickell Avenue, Miami.
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