More than 50 business leaders and entrepreneurs from across the Orlando region had front row seats to 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»president Randy K. Avent, as he described the schoolβs path since its inception and how itβs already making its mark as 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»βs newest public university.
βItβs easier to make an impact when youβre big. But to make an impact when youβre small, you better be really, really good,β said Avent as the guest speaker of the Orlando Regional Chamberβs Business Leadership Roundtable on Dec. 18.
Avent shared how 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly has achieved crucial milestones, like receiving accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) in record time and graduating its first four-year class in May 2018. He also explained the Universityβs role in the development of autonomous vehicle technology in 91ΒιΆΉΣ³», as well as his vision for growth, which includes a robust research park adjacent to campus.
βA winning strategy is to co-locate academia, industry, and government to work together to solve hard problems,β said Avent. βOur goal is to tear down the campus walls so you canβt tell where the University ends and the research park begins.β
The Business Leadership Roundtable is a quarterly, invitation-only luncheon for top-tier members of the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce. The event promotes business relationships and connects decision-makers with successful leaders, providing insight into the practices that helped them achieve success.
βSome of our members may not have known much about 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly or what theyβre doing, so this was an opportunity for the Orlando business community to find ways of collaboration,β said John F. Davis, executive vice president of the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce. βProbably now that they know more about 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly they want to head over there, see more and maybe get involved.β
Attendees said they were impressed with 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Polyβs accomplishments thus far and anticipated stronger ties between the University and industry in the Orlando region.
βThe type of students 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly attracts is really impressive. A lot of Orlando companies would definitely be interested in doing internships and projects with them,β said Tyler Minton, business developer for Quest Relocation Group.
βWe hear a lot about Orlando elevating its high-tech presence, and I can see 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly being part of that,β she added.
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