Chinese Business Delegation visits campus

SUNY New Paltz and the Hudson Valley Technology Development Center (HVTDC) teamed up recently to welcome Chinese delegates from Wuhan, China, to campus in an effort to introduce the group to advanced manufacturing technology in the Hudson Valley.

The day’s festivities included a series of presentations, followed by tours of the College’s MakerBot Innovation Center and HVTDC offices.

“The idea was to enable them not only to see the Center, but to understand that this university has programs that reach very far into the academic disciplines,” said HVTDC Regional Innovation Specialist Everton H. Henriques, who organized the event and moderated its proceedings.”When we look at the partnership we have, a world class university center right here in the Hudson Valley working very closely with HVTDC, an organization that helps manufacturers realize their goals of being more competitive and more efficient, it was a no-brainer to showcase this to Wuhan delegation.”

In addition to tours and getting an overview of the College’s competitive academic programs and resources, delegates also discussed topics ranging from the importance of collaboration in a global environment to the changing landscape of the American economy and the business and economic potential that lies therein.

“To hold the event at SUNY New Paltz, one of the most rapidly expanding centers of innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration, positioned the Hudson Valley as a prime location for the delegation from Wuhan to look for American partners,” said HVTDC Business Development Director John MacEnroe. “I think we made a favorable impression, demonstrating the interconnection among the State, academe, and private sector.”

Presenters from SUNY New Paltz included Philip Mauceri, provost and vice president for academic affairs; Beth Vargas, associate dean to the Center for International Programs (CIP); Kristin Backhaus, interim dean of the School of Business; and Dan Freedman, dean of the School of Science and Engineering and director of the Hudson Valley Advanced Manufacturing Center.

3D Printing Initiative
Since launching the Hudson Valley Advanced Manufacturing Center in spring 2013, the College’s effort to fuse learning and manufacturing, science and the arts has continued to gain momentum. This fall, the College partnered with 3D Systems and received additional funding to support the 3D Printing Initiative, including a $10 million NYSUNY 2020 Challenge Grant to help establish an Engineering Innovation Hub and $850,000 in capital funding for a new 3D Printing Laboratory. In December 2013, the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council and Governor Andrew Cuomo awarded the College $1M in state economic development funds. And in February 2014, the College partnered with Brooklyn, N.Y. – based MakerBot, the leading manufacturer of desktop 3D printers, to open the nation’s first MakerBot Innovation Center at SUNY New Paltz.