The University of South Florida today announced a $1 million partnership with Jabil to launch the USF Jabil Innovation Institute. The Institute will catalyze new collaborative efforts in innovative research, community engagement and talent development with the College of Engineering and Muma College of Business. It is expected to bolster the university’s student success efforts by providing new experiential learning opportunities and skills needed to remain competitive in the job market.
During a special ceremony to announce the USF Jabil Innovation Institute, USF President Steve Currall, USF Foundation CEO Joel Momberg and Jabil CEO Mark T. Mondello shared their vision for the partnership with students and faculty.
“We look forward to growing the Institute so that it serves as a national model for high-impact university-industry partnerships,” said Currall. “We are leveraging our strengths at the right time and right place -- a Tampa Bay region that is continuing to build momentum as a creative, high-tech destination for the next generation of the technology-savvy workforce. And at the heart of it will be Jabil and USF, charting a groundbreaking course together.”
Jabil will be leasing space at the Tampa Bay Technology Incubator (TBTI) in USF’s Research Park, where USF students and faculty will collaborate with Jabil teams, gaining real-life experience developing solutions to critical business and technology issues. Jabil will also be participating in USF innovation initiatives and leading programs for client companies at TBTI.
“We are looking forward to working even more closely with USF with this partnership,” said Mondello. “We firmly believe that together we can bridge business & engineering theory to the changing challenges of our global community.”
The partnership includes an $800,000 gift and $200,000 in research support given by Jabil to the USF Foundation.
“The gift and research support to foster the partnership will create the type of opportunities our high-achieving students seek. We are so thankful that Jabil has chosen to contribute to our incredible momentum here at USF,” said Momberg.