When University of Miami President Julio Frenk delivered his inauguration speech on January 29, one of the ambitious ideas he put forth was “the development of a major innovation hub with hemispheric scope” — a challenge for which he said the University was uniquely positioned. Strengthened by a new partnership and directed by a new strategy, UM is setting off on the path to meet Frenk’s challenge to develop a hemispheric innovation and technology hub.
A recent change — one awaiting installation of new signage — is the rebranding of UM’s Life Science and Technology Park as Converge Miami. When UM opened the six-story, 252,000-square-foot facility on September 23, 2011, then-President Donna E. Shalala called it “a game-changer” for Miami, and “a place where education, research, and technology intersect with discovery and innovation.” Its new name will convey that the building — and, by extension, UM — is that hub of innovation Frenk wants to be a hemispheric magnet for exciting new ideas.
