Virginia Commonwealth University is gearing up to launch its first-ever Innovation Month in April, a celebration of creators, innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurship across the institution.
"Innovation is at the heart of every VCU education, and this Innovation Month recognition is a terrific way not only to celebrate what’s happening throughout VCU today but perhaps spark that next great idea," expressed Fotis Sotiropoulos, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.
The month-long event aims to spotlight the creativity, ingenuity, and entrepreneurial spirit that drive innovation at VCU. Lloyd Young, director of innovation and design at the VCU da Vinci Center for Innovation, highlighted the importance of fostering an entrepreneurial mindset across various fields of study during Innovation Month.
"Innovation Month not only celebrates the collective achievements of our academic community but also emphasizes the impact of nurturing an entrepreneurial mindset across different fields of study," Young stated.
Innovation Month will coincide with VCU Research Weeks, an annual event that showcases and amplifies the impact of research, scholarship, and creative work on campus. Together, these events aim to celebrate achievements, foster collaboration, and inspire individuals from diverse backgrounds to embrace innovation.
Several events are scheduled for Innovation Month, including the Ignite Innovation workshop sponsored by NASA Langley Research Center and the VCU da Vinci Center for Innovation, as well as TEDxVCU Ripple, which will feature a range of TEDx Talks providing an interdisciplinary look at the changing world. Additionally, Demo Day, sponsored by the VCU da Vinci Center for Innovation, will connect student and alumni innovators with the Richmond ecosystem and beyond.
For a full schedule of events and further details, visit the Innovation Month information page on the VCU website.
The university's dedication to innovation was recently recognized by U.S. News & World Report, which ranked Virginia Commonwealth University as one of the nation’s 20 most innovative public universities in its 2024 Best Colleges rankings.
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