Priorities:University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Student Priorities

MnDrive

The University of Minnesota is blessed with an impressive array of resources. Recently, area leaders have charged the university with the task of better aligning those resources to pursue opportunites in key emerging industries and make it easier for enterprising students and faculity to access what they need.

Called MnDrive, the project has secured initial funding that will be used to build out infrastructure to support new innovation within four areas of research:

• Robotics, sensors, and advanced manufacturing.
• Global food ventures.
• Advanced industry, conserging our environment.
• Discoveries and treatments for brain conditions.

Moreover, a central database of resources is being created that students and staff can access online. Nationally-recognized faculty are being hired, seed grants are being allocated to recruit fellows, and equipment and laboratory space is being established to support and expand new research under the program.

From the student perspective, seeing this through is our first big priority. We believe MnDrive lays the foundation for innovation and entrepnreurship well after we are graduated. As such, we are encouraging students to make their voices heard throughout the development of the program. As University Innovation Fellows, we lay a base for sutdent support, one of the key milestones listed below. As the project is starting to rampu up, the current Fellows are already active in the selection of the faculity that will run the program and the plannign of how MnDrive will come together. 

Milestones: 

• Obtain backing from faculity in the College of Science & Engineering, the Carlson School fo Management, the College of Design, etc.
• Obtain a base for student support, leveraging the University Innovation Fellows. 
• Have tangible events on campus.
• Begin website development.
• Create a central makerspace. 

As we continue to develop the program, we will not limit research or our capacity to innovate. Working closely with our partners throughout the state and the university, we will develop a solid framework that rewards discovery and enhances partnerships to drive results.

We welcome your participation in this new endeavor and are excited to see what we can accomplish together. Visit our Contact page for a list of key MnDRIVE contacts at the university.