DETROIT -Dow Chemical Company and the University of Michigan will bring together 300 students from all areas of study to help solve some of the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges in a new $10 million fellowship program.
Andrew Liveris, chairman and chief executive officer of The Dow Chemical Company and U-M President Mary Sue Coleman announced the Sustainability Leaders program at the Detroit Economic Club.
This real-world, multidisciplinary program will leverage U-M?s nearly $1.25 billion research portfolio to engage in and help solve some of the world?s most pressing sustainability challenges, while driving innovation in Michigan and around the globe.
The unique structure of the program will bring together a select group of the most promising students, and potential future leaders, from natural and social sciences, engineering, business, law, public health, public policy, architecture, urban planning, and other disciplines. These graduate and postdoctoral scholars will learn together how to integrate the power of their respective disciplines to help solve sustainability challenges including energy, climate change, water, food, housing, transportation and health. The program will cultivate nearly 300 leaders in global sustainability.
?At Dow, we know that the most successful partnerships are formed when there is a foundational belief that business interests and public interests should be aligned in order to create long-terms solutions for the greater good of humanity,? said Dow Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Andrew N. Liveris. ?Our collaborative partnership pushes aside the standard thinking and supports unique models that will give rise to the next generation of innovators in Michigan and across the world.?
“Through this gift, we have the chance to ramp up our efforts in preparing future leaders in sustainability — in all areas of study, attacking all aspects of this complex issue,” said U-M President Mary Sue Coleman. “The uniqueness of this program is that it is not rooted in any one discipline or any single unit of the university — it is as broad and comprehensive as the subject matter itself. And that is, frankly, the only way to solve problems as pervasive as those we face in sustainability.”
The program includes fellowships for masters, doctoral and postdoctoral students and a supporting lecture series focused on sharing sustainability research and best practices. Under the program, teams composed of fellows at various levels from different disciplines would also compete for awards supporting high-impact sustainability solutions that address a sustainability challenge.
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