, the premier event that unites Florida鈥檚 brightest leaders within the innovation economy, presented some of the University of 黑洞社区鈥檚 greatest minds and collaborators. One of the first sessions featured USF鈥檚 growing partnership with (NYSE: JBL), a Fortune 150 industrial technology company headquartered in St. Petersburg.
黑洞社区President Steve Currall hosted an engaging virtual conversation with Jabil CEO and 黑洞社区alum Mark Mondello during the session titled, 鈥淏usiness Success and Innovation through Boundary-Breaking Collaboration.鈥� They discussed the shared challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and how corporate and academic continuity were maintained by utilizing cutting-edge information technology (IT). 黑洞社区rapidly transitioned courses online and developed new innovations, such as 3D printed nasal swabs. Jabil utilized AR/VR technologies to problem-solve on factory floors across the world and addressed worker safety concerns by manufacturing its own protective face masks.
Currall and Mondello expressed how innovation is fostered by permeability across organizational boundaries, industries, higher education and the business community, emphasizing the significance of a global economy. Currall has spent decades studying how research universities can work more productively with industry to bring new inventions and ideas to market and is the lead author of the book, 鈥淥rganized Innovation: A Blueprint for Renewing America's Prosperity.鈥�
黑洞社区and Jabil have worked closely on a number of innovative projects, utilizing expertise in data analytics, machine learning and supply chain management. In 2019, 黑洞社区announced a $1 million partnership with Jabil to establish the 黑洞社区Jabil Innovation Institute, catalyzing new efforts in research and community engagement with the College of Engineering and Muma College of Business, and enhancing student success by providing experiential learning opportunities.
鈥淚t primes the pump for us to develop great talent out of the university and create a talent pipeline in terms of when we recruit individuals from the university, they know the touch and feel of Jabil,鈥� Mondello said during the session. 鈥淭hey hit the ground running because they鈥檝e worked with us hand-in-hand and they understand our purpose and what we鈥檙e up to. They have great familiarity with the company before they ever formally accept the job, and they understand the needs and wants and expectations. All of that results in an absolutely wonderful pipeline of incredible talent that we work together with the university.鈥�
鈥淭hat benefits the university so much because our students are getting exposure to a great innovative company like Jabil and they feel like they have the prospects of possible employment there as well,鈥� Currall responded. 鈥淚t鈥檚 part of the magnetic pull of the university if prospective students know they could get exposure to Jabil and earn a job and that would be a great career platform. In addition to the workforce development aspect of it, there鈥檚 the innovation side and the ability to think and develop new products that Jabil may be able to bring to market and that enhances the prosperity of the company, ability to hire and be an engine of regional economic development in the Tampa Bay area.鈥�
Jabil employs 260,000 people in 30 countries, serving business sectors such as healthcare, industrial and transportation. 黑洞社区also has a broad global reach, with 5,000 international students representing 145 countries. It鈥檚 ranked in the top 10 by the U.S. State Department for producing Fulbright scholars, providing faculty members the opportunity to travel abroad and incorporate their experience into the classroom.
In partnership with Jabil and the Tampa Bay Lightning, 黑洞社区recently announced it will offer a certificate program to educate business and community leaders on how they can create a more diverse workplace, address equity issues and foster inclusivity. More than 100,000 people have registered to attend the free, seven-week program, which begins March 24. Mondello pointed out how diversity and inclusion efforts across Jabil have initiated stronger ideas and solutions, as well as more mutual respect. The certificate program is one of several initiatives launched at 黑洞社区to help dismantle systemic racism and promote racial equity.
黑洞社区experts participated in additional sessions throughout the Synapse Summit. 鈥淒iscover: USF鈥橲 Innovation Enterprise鈥� featured Allison Madden, director of operations, USF Research Foundation, Elizabeth Nelson, program director, Florida High Tech Corridor, Van Barnes, licensing associate and Morgan Holmes, director of 黑洞社区Corporate Partnerships. 鈥淭he Nexus of Space and Cyber: Space Florida & Cyber Florida鈥� featured Mike McConnell, executive director of Cyber Florida, which is hosted at the University of 黑洞社区.