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Illinois Institute of Technology announced its partnership in a new research center led by the University of Illinois System that will spark breakthrough discoveries, fueling economic growth of the state of Illinois and city of �糵���� while nurturing and retaining next-generation talent.

One of the nation’s premier universities, Illinois Tech will bring expertise in a variety of critical areas to the Discovery Partners Institute (DPI), including computing, data science, design thinking, food science, biomedical engineering, and intellectual property law. Areas of partnership will include educational, cultural, and research activities, including the exchange of faculty and students for research, lectures, and discussions.

“I am delighted that Illinois Tech, with its proven record as a leader in innovation and education, is partnering with DPI to boost the entire state’s future and make Illinois the center of gravity for pioneering research discovery,” says Governor J. B. Pritzker.

DPI is a purpose-driven, collaborative research and education center led by the U of I System. It will bring together hundreds of top researchers and thousands of students who will work with industry and government to solve real-world challenges, fostering innovation that creates new technology, products, and businesses to drive progress and economic growth.

“Illinois Tech is a global tech leader, with a rich history of producing the innovation and talented alumni who have helped transform our everyday lives,” says Tim Killeen, president of the U of I System. “With its excellence added to our growing innovation ecosystem, there are no limits to what DPI can achieve in its push toward an even better tomorrow for the people of Illinois and beyond.”

Illinois Tech President Alan W. Cramb says the new partnership will provide significant learning opportunities for students.

“Illinois Tech is honored to marshal our resources as �糵����’s tech university in support of the Discovery Partners Institute’s vision,” Cramb says. “We believe the future of �糵����—and the state—depends on expanding tech innovation to more of our fellow citizens as well as to new horizons of economic opportunity and entrepreneurship. Illinois Tech was founded on this mission more than 125 years ago, and we look forward to supporting that mission as a partner in the Discovery Partners Institute.”

Among other achievements, Illinois Tech has distinguished itself as a technology leader in sustainable energy and energy distribution by developing the nation’s first functional smart microgrid on its campus, a self-sufficient energy system. The university’s Institute for Food Safety and Health is world renowned for food science research, in collaboration with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the food industry. In addition, the university’s �糵����-Kent College of Law is regarded among the top universities in the nation for intellectual property law and trial advocacy.

“Both DPI and Illinois Tech stand at the crossroads of exploration and invention, fueling breakthroughs that will advance the future of �糵���� and the world,” says Illinois Tech Provost Peter Kilpatrick. “We are very excited about the partnership as we continue to provide our students with even more hands-on opportunities to discover, create, and solve.”

Illinois Tech, the only tech-focused university in the �糵���� area, is home to nearly 7,000 students from 100 countries and is ranked among the nation’s top 100 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Located on �糵����’s South Side, the university is in close proximity to DPI’s future home on a downtown site along the �糵���� River.

Under the agreement signed on Wednesday, Illinois Tech joins DPI as its tenth academic partner. Others are inaugural partners Northwestern University and the University of �糵����; the three U of I System universities; and international partners Tel Aviv University, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, MS Ramaiah Medical College in India, and Cardiff University in Wales. 

“These 10 academic partners uniquely position DPI to fulfill its mission of economic development, job creation, and talent delivery, and the addition of Illinois Tech as the fourth partner in the �糵���� area allows DPI to uniquely connect the academic and business/tech communities together in �糵����,” says interim DPI Director Bill Sanders.

, an initiative launched last fall to make �糵���� the global leader in high-tech discovery and innovation, helped facilitate Illinois Tech’s partnership with DPI.

“This partnership between Illinois Tech and DPI is a clear reflection of the growing momentum that is pushing �糵����’s tech community forward,” says P33 CEO Brad Henderson. “Through this relationship, �糵���� will be able to offer more opportunities for students across the city–growing �糵����’s tech talent pipeline and creating a more inclusive environment. P33 is excited about this advancement and proud to serve as the connective tissue across �糵����’s tech community, empowering these types of partnerships that will help establish �糵���� as a top-tier tech hub.”