The University of Arizona and Motorola Enter Agreement to Streamline Research and Innovation
A host of top universities are also a part of this groundbreaking, collaborative agreement
TUCSON, AZ.– The University of Arizona has joined a number of top universities collaborating with Google/Motorola Mobility’s Advanced Technology and Projects (ATAP) group through a unique agreement that will expedite the execution of collaborative research efforts, and help get new products to market faster. Through the Multi-University Research Agreement (MURA), the UA will join with the other universities and Motorola to streamline processes through the sharing of resources and the creation of new pathways that will help develop fundamental new technologies quicker.
"The multi-university agreement is really the first of its kind," said Kaigham J. Gabriel, vice president and deputy director of ATAP. "Such an agreement has the potential to be a national model for how companies and universities work together to speed innovation and US competitiveness, while staying true to their individual missions and cultures."
Original signatories to the agreement include the California Institute of Technology, Carnegie Mellon University, Harvard University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, Texas A&M University, and Virginia Tech.
The use of a single, universal agreement with all these universities and the UA will enable Motorola's ATAP to engage in a wide range of research project structures, such as a single university researcher on a short-term research project, or a larger, cross-disciplinary and multi-university research effort. The goal will be to complete research agreements in as little as 30 days and start the actual research sooner, rather than the several months that traditional sponsored research agreements can often take to establish.
"When we started…people told us we were crazy… that this couldn't be done. But we found power in the similarity of our goal – to do great work, faster, and with fewer barriers – and a group of committed individuals made it so," said Regina E. Dugan, senior vice president and director of ATAP.
“Developing new, synergistic strategies for partnerships that help drive innovation are central to the UA strategic plan,” says David Allen, vice president of the UA’s Tech Launch Arizona. “Pooling our talents and resources is a win-win for all involved.”
About Motorola Mobility
Motorola Mobility, a Google company, creates mobile devices and wireless accessories that simplify, connect and enrich people's lives. For more information, visit motorola.com/mobility(link is external).