Maine’s Public Universities welcome Roux Institute at Northeastern University to Maine

On January 27, Maine native and entrepreneur David Roux joined Northeastern University President Joseph Aoun to announce the formation of the Roux Institute at Northeastern University in Portland. University of Maine System Trustee Gregory Johnson and University of Maine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy attended the announcement event of the Roux Institute at Northeastern University in Portland.

​Academic leaders at the University of Maine have already begun collaboration discussions with colleagues at Northeastern University. University leaders offered the following statements welcoming the Roux Institute to Maine. 

University of Maine System Board Chair James Erwin:
      
“David Roux’s vision and investment brings the promise of an entirely new and transformative economic sector for Maine. The concept for the Roux Institute at Northeastern University brilliantly anticipates the future confluence of digital science and health care, seeks to catalyze the research and commercialization necessary for Maine to participate in the digital economy, and supports the preparation of the workforce that will support it.
      
“The Institute has the potential to make the Portland region a major player for decades to come in global health and other emerging applications of artificial intelligence solutions aimed at solving our biggest challenges.
      
“For more than 150 years, Maine’s public universities have supported Maine’s traditional and emerging industries through scholarship and discovery. Led by Maine’s public research university, the University of Maine, we are already engaged with Northeastern University in the work of building academic and research partnerships to support the Roux Institute at Northeastern University. 
      
“On behalf of our faculty, our staff and the many students who we hope will find opportunity in David’s vision, the University of Maine System Board of Trustees welcomes Northeastern University and its Roux Institute to Maine. The Board is committed to contributing the talent, resources, and reach of our public university system to support this exciting venture, helping to improve Maine’s workforce, economic opportunity and quality of life for future generations.” 
 
University of Maine System Chancellor Dannel Malloy:
      
“We are in a global competition to attract research dollars to Maine. Our public universities are bringing new focus to this work under the leadership of University of Maine President Joan Ferrni-Mundy. As a System, we are committed to providing the collaboration and support needed to make investments and discovery-focused innovations in our state a success.
      
“The Roux Institute at Northeastern University brings a new vision, critical investment and proven research capacity to the Portland region. It can be a game-changer for Maine’s participation in the innovation economy and create new opportunities for Maine’s students and entrepreneurs.”
 
University of Maine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy:
      
“The University of Maine welcomes the Roux Institute at Northeastern University and looks forward to developing strong and productive collaborations to benefit the people and economy of Maine. We appreciate the investment that David and Barbara Roux are making to attract Northeastern University and its partners to Maine. In particular, the focus on artificial intelligence will position Portland and the state to engage globally in exciting applications at the cutting edge.
      
“The University of Maine is looking forward to the opportunities that the Roux Institute at Northeastern University will provide for our students to pursue advanced degrees in fields that are growing and changing rapidly through AI, and for our faculty to collaborate in research and education. Pathways programs for UMaine students and faculty fellowships for UMaine and Northeastern faculty are being considered as the first steps in partnering.
      
“There will be opportunities for doctoral students to be involved in advancing our understanding of topics ranging from opioid and acetylcholine sensing technologies to photon modeling. The presence of the Roux Institute at Northeastern University will inspire and enable all of our institutions to continue in shaping the future.”
 
Please visit https://news.northeastern.edu/2020/01/27/northeastern-partners-with-entrepreneur-david-roux-to-launch-the-roux-institute-at-northeastern-in-portland-maine for more information about this exciting announcement. For more information, please contact Dan Demeritt, executive director of public affairs for the University of Maine System, by calling (207) 441-6962 or by emailing dan.demeritt@maine.edu.