SOUTH KINGSTOWN – A partnership agreement was signed Thursday between the University of Rhode Island’s Business Engagement Center and the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport to assist small-business development and technology commercialization in Rhode Island and the region.
“From a Navy perspective, the agreement will introduce NUWC Newport engineers to emerging proprietary research and development that may have applications for us. There are opportunities for both NUWC Newport and the companies served by the URI Business Engagement Center,” Capt. Michael R. Coughlin, commanding officer at the Newport Naval Undersea Warfare Center, said in a statement.
A ceremony acknowledging the agreement – the first of its kind for the university – was held Thursday morning at the URI Alumni Center.
The agreement formalizes the relationship between URI and the NUWC to promote cooperative activities, including initiatives and events to promote education, and workforce and economic development in the state related to the defense, undersea technology and marine industries.
Access to facilities and equipment also will be offered, as well as expertise to startups and existing companies. Matchmaking services for the university and the NUWC to increase the number of small-business collaborations under patent license agreements, cooperative research and development agreements and direct contracts will be offered as well.
Said URI President David M. Dooley, “This agreement will connect the vast resources available at the University and NUWC Newport to better serve our state and beyond.”
The BEC, created in 2013, serves as the “front door” for businesses to utilize the expertise that URI offers.
“The BEC serves as a driver of the university’s economic-development agenda, and will continue to support joint efforts with NUWC Division Newport, which is the U.S. Navy’s premier laboratory for undersea technologies,” according to information from URI.
Lori Stabile is the PBN web editor.
