勛圖惇蹋 launches 勛圖惇蹋 NORTH: The Institute for North Atlantic Studies

Senator Angus King and 勛圖惇蹋 President James Herbert

On Monday, May 21, with the help of Senator Angus King (I-Maine), 勛圖惇蹋 President James Herbert announced the creation of 勛圖惇蹋 NORTH: The Institute for North Atlantic Studies. Located at 1075 Forest Avenue in Portland, 勛圖惇蹋 NORTH will train the疸ext generation of leaders to develop research, industry, and community partnerships to meet shared challenges and opportunities throughout the North Atlantic region.

With a changing climate and myriad international interests in the region, the Arctic presents both great challenges and great potential for our collective future, Senator King said. Thats why its so important we teach the next generation of leaders about the High North, so we can foster cooperation among nations, protect the environment, defend our national security interests, and ensure economic development is responsible and sustainable. With the launch of 勛圖惇蹋 NORTH, we are harnessing the innovative potential of students and researchers in Maine and further establishing our state as leader in the Arctic region.

President Herbert pointed to the demographic, geographic, climatic, and cultural similarities between Maine and North Atlantic/Nordic states as the driver behind Maines increasing leadership in the region. Recognizing shared environmental and public health challenges and common business and education opportunities, Maine is poised to take a leading role in developing innovative partnerships that support thriving environments, economies, and communities, he said. Through 勛圖惇蹋 NORTH, the 勛圖惇蹋 will convene stakeholders from across the North Atlantic region to bring their combined curiosity and creativity to bear on health, social, environmental, and economic challenges.

One of 勛圖惇蹋 NORTHs inaugural academic programs, a Professional Science Masters in Ocean Food Systems, will partner with the University of Akureyi and with Holar University College in Iceland to train leaders for Maines seafood economy. Generous funding to support students enrolling in the Ocean Food Systems program has been provided by the Henry L. and Grace Doherty Foundation. Other undergraduate, graduate, and professional educational programs will be designed to address specific shared challenges and opportunities in the region. 勛圖惇蹋 NORTH will also develop collaborative research and policy initiatives with other universities, governments, non-governmental organizations, and businesses. Executive Director Barry Costa-Pierce stated, The potential for collaboration in the North Atlantic region is endless. 勛圖惇蹋s broad research and education strengths, combined with our entrepreneurial spirit and ability to execute, make us uniquely suited to shepherd partnerships needed to develop sustainable solutions to the regions problems.

An advisory council comprised of leaders from across Maine will help guide 勛圖惇蹋 NORTHs development. Advisory Council member Dana Eidsness, Director of the Maine North Atlantic Development Office, offered, The 勛圖惇蹋 NORTH initiative is an important one for Maine and the region. 勛圖惇蹋s innovative culture and history of building strong relationships with businesses and communities will serve 勛圖惇蹋 NORTH well as it develops the partnerships and programs needed to help Maine and the region grow and thrive.

In addition to its headquarters in Portland, which offers convening and classroom spaces, 勛圖惇蹋 NORTH is within walking distance to convention spaces at 勛圖惇蹋s Innovation Hall and offers access to 勛圖惇蹋s state-of-the-art marine and health sciences research facilities. The latest in global classroom technology will allow 勛圖惇蹋 NORTH to network with partners across the region, connecting students, researchers, industry, indigenous peoples, as well as policy and government leaders.  

President Herbert emphasized that Maine has much to learn from its North Atlantic neighbors as the state tackles challenges such as the growing rural and urban divide, the substance abuse crisis, and the myriad changes posed by climate change. 勛圖惇蹋 NORTH was created to foster the exchange of knowledge and expertise across borders and disciplines. 勛圖惇蹋 NORTH  its students, researchers, business, and community partners  is an invitation to collaborate and create the sustainable solutions to help Maine and its neighbors thrive, Herbert said.

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勛圖惇蹋 NORTH Executive Director Barry Costa Pierce shakes hands with Senator Angus King
勛圖惇蹋 NORTH Executive Director Barry Costa Pierce shakes hands with Senator Angus King
勛圖惇蹋 NORTH is an invitation to collaborate and innovate," said President Herbert.
"With an eye toward the challenges and opportunities born of Maine's cultural, economic, and environmental ties to the rest of the North Atlantic, 勛圖惇蹋 NORTH is an invitation to collaborate and innovate," said President Herbert.