THE PROGRAM

• Facilitates access to the university’s extensive faculty and staff expertise, student talent, physical resources, and professional and business development programs

• Has an Industry Liaison Officer, a single point of contact, at each of the campuses to help identify and utilize resources and navigate processes

• Extends existing university expertise and programming focused on business resilience and recovery

• Increases opportunities for research collaboration, technology and product development, talent/ workforce collaboration, and other partnerships with Nebraska businesses and the university

• Develops stronger inter-campus connectivity with a shared focus on advancing economic development

• Increases utilization of the university’s substantial and regionally-unique resources such as labs, clinics, field assets, and specialized equipment

Anderson also helped other NU campuses establish industry/university contract templates to create uniformity and make it easier for industry partners to work with the NU campuses.

The Omaha company Innovative Prosthetics and Orthotics, which partners with UNO and UNMC faculty researchers, utilized NU Connections to establish a laboratory in UNO’s Biomechanics research building to streamline the company’s operations and utilize research laboratory equipment.

UNO’s Industry Liaison Officer Deanna Marcelino assisted a Bellevue software engineering company that was interested in engaging with UNO College of Information Science and Technology (IS&T) faculty researchers regarding cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to augment a Department of Defense grant proposal.

Anderson’s visit to Israel in fall 2022 aims to advance opportunities for Israeli agricultural technology companies to conduct research and development on large row crop and livestock production systems in Nebraska through NU Connections.

Students have also benefitted from the NU Connections program. Several Omaha microbusinesses received information technology (IT) consulting provided by students of the UNO College of IS&T through the university’s Service Learning Academy classes and NU Connections. The service learning classes in Information Technology for Development (ITD) and Electronic Commerce were led by Sajda Qureshi, Ph.D., Kayser Chair, Professor of Information Systems, Department of Information Systems & Quantitative Analysis (ISQA) at the College of IS&T. In the classes, undergraduate and graduate students were placed in teams and linked with a local microbusiness. The student teams evaluated microbusiness technology needs, prepared business technology plans, provided training, and implemented appropriate solutions.

In spring 2022, Industry Relations and the new UNL School of Computing (SoC) within the College of Engineering began the process of securing sponsored projects and volunteer industry coaches for the required experiential learning program and capstone class, Senior Design. In the class, student teams work with sponsoring organizations to develop software and systems-engineered solutions.

Lang says the relationships between students and the businesses can extend far beyond a capstone course. “Becoming engaged with our students often creates opportunities for internships or employment,” she says. “These courses serve as a trial run for the students and the businesses.”

Although the original EDA grant that funded NU Connections will expire in September, Lang says the program will not end. “The university system is dedicated to continuing this program,” she says. “The relationships NU Connections has created will endure, and we will keep building upon these connections.

“NU Connections is a vibrant example of the university’s commitment to serve Nebraska businesses, spur economic development, and create a talented workforce that learns here and stays here.”