UAlbany NanoCollege Launches Major Community and Educational Outreach Initiative During ‘NANOvember’

The College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering ("CNSE") of the University at Albany today announced plans for the world's first celebration of "NANOvember," a month-long series of events and activities that showcase the exciting world of nanotechnology and the global leadership of the UAlbany NanoCollege in the most important science of the 21st century.

Throughout NANOvember, a variety of activities are planned to engage students, teachers, parents and community members in nanotechnology - described by the National Nanotechnology Initiative as "leading to the next Industrial Revolution" - and to highlight CNSE's pioneering educational program, ranked by Small Times magazine as number one in the world for nanotechnology, and its $4.5 billion Albany NanoTech Complex, the most advanced research enterprise in the academic world with more than 250 global corporate partners.

The first-ever celebration of NANOvember kicks off with CNSE's Community Day on Saturday, November 1. The schedule of events also includes the unveiling of an exhibit in Colonie Center believed to be the nation's first nanotechnology display in a shopping mall; hosting of a national conference on the convergence of nanobioscience and medicine; educational programs such as "NanoCareer Day" for students and "Educating the Educators" for teachers; a series of community lectures highlighting CNSE's pioneering education, cutting-edge research and significant economic impact; and, an open house for prospective graduate students.

NANOvember is presented as part of "NEXSTEP," or "Nanotechnology Explorations for Science, Training and Education Promotion," a partnership between CNSE and KeyBank featuring educational initiatives that promote greater understanding of the changing economic and business environment in the Capital Region and New York State being driven by nanotechnology.

"NANOvember is an exciting extension of the NEXSTEP initiative and its effort to help people understand the importance of nanotechnology and how and why nanotechnology is changing the Capital Region," said Jeffrey Stone, president, Capital Region, KeyBank N.A. "In the current economic landscape, this is a bright spot, as nanotech growth in our region, led by the UAlbany NanoCollege, will expand the tax base, attract more businesses and, most important, create more better-paying jobs."

Dr. Alain E. Kaloyeros, Senior Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of CNSE, said, "The UAlbany NanoCollege is delighted to work with our forward-thinking partners at KeyBank to launch this unprecedented educational and community outreach effort that will give residents of the Capital Region and New York State an insider's view of the exciting world of nanotechnology. This initiative will truly showcase the global leadership of CNSE and New York State in nanotechnology, a product of the vision and investment of Governor Paterson and Assembly Speaker Silver, which is providing high-paying, high-tech career opportunities to New Yorkers and demonstrating unlimited potential to address the most critical issues of the 21st century."

A complete list of events and activities planned during NANOvember is available at http://cnse.albany.edu/events/NANOvember.html.

Courtesy: UAlbany News