| New Partnership in
Education between Bowdoin the University of Maine, Orono 
UMO President Robert Kennedy talks with Governor
Baldacci about the new partnership that expands degree options
By Ramona du Houx
"It’s impossible
to underestimate the value of higher education in the 21st century economy, said Governor
Baldacci announcing a new partnership between Bowdoin College and the University of Maine.
"We need to make sure our students have the tools they need to succeed."
Maine needs more highly
skilled professionals to continue to compete in the global economy. Students who pursue
higher degrees in Maine often look to the state for professions after graduation. The
University of Maine’s Office of Institutional Studies published a report on the class
of 2005, which states 73.9 percent of respondents are employed full time, and nearly
two-thirds of those full-time workers are living in Maine. They say if you spend time
here, Maine easily becomes your home. One area where there is a growing vacancy in skilled
workers is in engineering.
UMO has a world-class
engineering department; Bowdoin College is a world famous private liberal arts college
— both are dedicated to excellence in education. Last May a partnership program was
announced between the two educational institutions.
In the program, students
will begin their course work at Bowdoin. For three years, they will participate in the
liberal arts program at the college. During those three years applicants to the program
will have had to take certain science and math prerequisites at Bowdoin before they can
transfer to the University of Maine for two years of intensive engineering studies. Upon
completion of the five-year program, students graduate with a bachelor’s degree from
Bowdoin and an engineering degree from UMaine.
"Maine’s economy
needs highly trained and well-prepared thinkers, people who can push the limits in
today’s technology- and innovation-based industries," said Governor Baldacci.
"I look forward to tracking the progress of this cooperative, and know that it will
serve the needs of some of Maine’s best and brightest students."
"There are great
possibilities of future collaborations," said Bowdoin College President Barry Mills
"We at Bowdoin are
very proud of this new alliance, and I want to thank the University of Maine for really
helping to make this happen," said Bowdoin College President Barry Mills. "We
really do have a strong commitment to the state of Maine and look forward to providing an
opportunity for students from Maine who should be at Bowdoin to come to Bowdoin to study
in our liberal arts tradition, which we believe in passionately, and then to have the
opportunity to go to the University of Maine and to be in an engineering program that is
world class and then hopefully to stay in this state."
"This is very exciting
for the University of Maine," said UMO President Robert Kennedy. "Some of the
most outstanding students in the nation attend Bowdoin College. For those with an interest
in engineering and the technical aspects, for them to have the opportunity to come to the
University of Maine’s engineering college, interact with our faculty, really brings
two of the best things in the state together."
The program is expected to
begin enrolling students from Bowdoin into the UMO engineering program as soon as fall
2008. Computer engineering and electrical engineering are proposed under the program.
"Certainly from our
perspective we want to see more graduates stay in Maine. It’s a wonderful place to
start professions, unique with its quality of life," said Doug Cook of Bowdoin
College.
The new partnership is a
step in what President Kennedy and President Mills see as a long-term growing
collaboration.
"There are great
possibilities of future collaborations," said Mills. "I’d like to let the
professors get together and talk, and with their expertise, I’m sure we will see
things develop."
"UMO offers graduate
programs, and I’d like to see more students take advantage of that," said
Kennedy. "And our research and development facilities are renowned. The work on
composites technology employs over 150 people. It’s a unique innovative center, and
I’d like to see more of collaboration with Bowdoin there."
|
