University of New England signs partnership agreement with Bigelow Laboratory

The University of New England has signed a memorandum of understanding with Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences to support joint ventures in research and education.

UNE President James Herbert and Bigelow Laboratory President and CEO Deborah Bronk signed the agreement on August 15 at Bigelow Laboratory in East Boothbay. President Herbert remarked that UNE and Bigelow Laboratory have many areas of overlap in the research arena. The two institutions plan to collaborate on UNE’s new Professional Science Master’s program in Ocean Food Systems, among other initiatives that will provide hands-on learning experiences for students.

“I could not be more thrilled to formalize our relationship with Bigelow Laboratory,” said President Herbert. “This partnership will give our students new opportunities to benefit from Bigelow Laboratory’s expertise through research and learning experiences in marine science and marine entrepreneurship.” 

Bigelow Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit research institute that is based in Maine and conducts research around the world. It applies cutting-edge techniques to provide new insights into ocean challenges and opportunities by focusing on marine life at the foundation of ocean food webs. Its scientists engage students with its research through internships, short courses, and a semester-in-residence program. This new partnership with UNE advances the Laboratory’s efforts to expand student access to its state-of-the-art facilities and scientists through new relationships with universities and colleges across the country.

“This exciting partnership will put UNE students side-by-side with our scientists as they work to apply our global research to address local issues,” said President Bronk. “They’ll be gaining real research experience in a world-class facility while working to solve problems and support Maine’s marine economy through science.”