The state of Connecticut has paired with three of the state’s largest names in alternative energy to spend a combined $4 million to hire a more than a dozen new professors for University of Connecticut’s engineering program.
The state will kick in $2 million a year for the next two years, which will be matched by the combined donations of the South Windsor-based UTC Power, Berlin-based Northeast Utilities and Danbury-based Fuel Cell Energy.
The deal will create one an “eminent professor” position, two to three named professorships, one named associate professorship, and at least eight other assistant professor position, said Mehdi Anwar, associate dean of the engineering school. All professorships will awarded to experts in fuel cells or other forms of alternative energy.
Provost Peter Nicholls said a search was already underway for a “recognized scholar of international reputation” who could lead UConn’s effort.
All three companies already engage in collaborative efforts with the school, Anwar said. Often, professors and their students are tasked with performing outside research and testing services for the companies, effectively outsourcing some of their work to UConn.
