VNR: UH, UMass to collaborate on energy resilience, national security research, more

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***SUGGESTED VOSOT SCRIPT BELOW***

The University of Hawaiʻi and the University of Massachusetts (UMass) have agreed to collaborate on research and education focused on strengthening energy systems, critical infrastructure and national security.

UH President Wendy F. Hensel and UMass President Marty Meehan signed a five-year memorandum of understanding on October 1, at Bachman Hall on the UH Mānoa campus, establishing a framework for the two university systems to pursue joint research, student and faculty exchanges, training programs and other initiatives.

The agreement includes potential collaboration in areas such as cyber-physical systems, microgrids (localized energy systems), advanced manufacturing, autonomous systems, maritime technologies and sensing. It also calls for exploring research and workforce development opportunities aligned with U.S. Department of Defense priorities.

"The University of Hawaiʻi has a responsibility to use our expertise and our unique position in Hawaiʻi to help address challenges that matter both here at home and across the nation," Hensel said. "As an island state with critical energy, maritime and infrastructure needs, Hawaiʻi is an important place to develop and test solutions that can strengthen resilience. This partnership with UMass creates new opportunities for our faculty and students to work together on research that can have a meaningful impact in Hawaiʻi and beyond."

Meehan said the agreement creates opportunities for researchers, faculty and students from both institutions to work together on challenges that affect communities across the country.

"The University of Massachusetts and the University of Hawaiʻi share a commitment to research and education that addresses real-world challenges," Meehan said. "By bringing our expertise together in areas such as resilient energy systems, advanced sensing and maritime infrastructure, we can create new opportunities for collaboration and prepare students for the workforce of the future."

An initial focus of the partnership will be energy resilience and critical infrastructure protection. The agreement serves as a framework rather than a commitment to specific projects. Individual research initiatives would be developed through separate agreements. The partnership also recognizes the shared importance of resilient infrastructure in Hawaiʻi and Massachusetts, two states with extensive coastal and maritime environments.

"The University of Massachusetts is a great research institution. The University of Hawaiʻi is a great public university and research institution. Not everybody knows that," said UH Regent Neil Abercrombie, who met Meehan when both were in the U.S. House of Representatives. "Not everybody realizes how important that is to the state of Hawaiʻi and to the state of Massachusetts. So we got together and said this would be perfect."

Link to video and sound (details below): https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/SKum4SeQe2

VIDEO:

BROLL: (0:49)

0:00-0:49 - Video of the MOU signing on October 1 at Bachman Hall

SOUNDBITES:

Wendy F. Hensel, University of Hawaiʻi President

(0:14)

"You have two powerhouse research institutions that are coming together and scaling that power and the ability to solve problems that are facing our world and find new solutions is exciting so we're super excited to bring this together."

Marty Meehan, University of Massachusetts President

(0:20)

"Some of the great research that's being done in the United States by public universities needs to be highlighted, and we need to partner and be stronger together. If there's a way of getting our faculty at the University of Massachusetts to work with the faculty at the University of Hawaiʻi and make both institutions stronger, I think that's good for us both."

Neil Abercrombie, University of Hawaiʻi Regent

(0:19)

"University of Massachusetts is a great research institution. University of Hawaiʻi is a great research, public university, research institution. Not everybody knows that. Not everybody realizes how important that is to the state of Hawaiʻi and to the state of Massachusetts. So we got together and said this would be perfect. Let's put this together."

VO SCRIPT:

INTRO:

The University of Hawaiʻi and the University of Massachusetts are teaming up on research focused on energy resilience, critical infrastructure and national security.

VO:

The two university systems signed a five-year agreement Thursday at UH Mānoa.

It opens the door to joint research, student and faculty exchanges, and training programs.

Potential areas include microgrids, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, maritime technology and autonomous systems.

SOT:

Wendy F. Hensel, University of Hawaiʻi President

"You have two powerhouse research institutions that are coming together and scaling that power and the ability to solve problems that are facing our world and find new solutions is exciting so we're super excited to bring this together."

Marty Meehan, University of Massachusetts President

"Some of the great research that's being done in the United States by public universities needs to be highlighted, and we need to partner and be stronger together. If there's a way of getting our faculty at the University of Massachusetts to work with the faculty at the University of Hawaiʻi and make both institutions stronger, I think that's good for us both."

Neil Abercrombie, University of Hawaiʻi Regent

"University of Massachusetts is a great research institution. University of Hawaiʻi is a great research, public university, research institution. Not everybody knows that. Not everybody realizes how important that is to the state of Hawaiʻi and to the state of Massachusetts. So we got together and said this would be perfect. Let's put this together."

VO:

UH says an early focus will be strengthening energy systems and protecting critical infrastructure.