COLLEGE PARK, Md., March 26, 2001 ---
The University of Maryland has launched a major new research and testbed laboratory for information technologies, assisted by support from a leading corporate IT partner, Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd.
The university's new MIND (Maryland Information and Network Dynamics) Lab will provide industrial and institutional partners a focal point for defining, developing, evaluating and deploying new information technologies under the direction of a world-class group of university researchers with track records of innovation. The work in the MIND lab will complement and support research to be conducted in the new Fujitsu research institute for advanced computer technology, which is being dedicated at a ceremony at the university on Monday, March 26.
"The new MIND lab offers our world-class faculty and students new opportunities for challenging and relevant research through which they can translate university-developed information technologies and skills into the communication tools needed by our region and nation," said University of Maryland President C.D. Mote, Jr. "Industry will benefit not only through the development of key products, but also because undergraduate and graduate student involvement in the MIND lab will produce future IT workers experienced in the real world concerns of companies."
"Fujitsu is excited to have the opportunity to expand its U.S. research operations by working in collaboration with the MIND lab," said Michio Fujisaki, president of Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd. "I believe our joint research efforts, as well as the work we will be doing in the Fujitsu research institute that is also being dedicated today, will help us create new technologies that will truly enrich people's lives in the 21st century."
Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd. and its U.S. subsidiary, Fujitsu Laboratories of America, announced last month the establishment of a new research institute in College Park to develop technologies that more closely link computers to people's everyday lives. Pervasive computing, bio-informatics and quantum computing will be the first research initiatives pursued at Fujitsu's new lab.
"The new MIND lab is a win-win for both the University of Maryland and Fujitsu," said Governor Parris N. Glendening. "Students will gain critical real-world experience with one of the country's most dynamic companies and Fujitsu will have access to the best resources the university has to offer. It is this kind of cutting-edge transfer of knowledge that has helped the state of Maryland develop the best-trained, high-tech workforce in the country."
"There is great consumer demand for information products and applications, particularly web-based ones, that can work together seamlessly no matter what company or public entity is providing them," said Ashok Agrawala, the director of the MIND lab and a professor of computer science. "Our new lab is ideally suited to help companies, federal agencies and other entities successfully respond to this demand in a way that just isn't possible for an individual company or agency."
According to Agrawala, the MIND lab provides its partners with invaluable university brain power together with the use of large, well-instrumented testbeds and the crucial ability to collaboratively develop projects, technologies, and applications in a neutral environment.
"Successful information products in the future will be keyed around the concepts of global connectivity and interdependence, interoperability of networked systems, multiple product suppliers and scalable services with predictable performance," said Agrawala. "By working with the university through the MIND lab, companies and other entities will be able to bring products to market that better meet these needs and do it faster than they could on their own."
Initial projects to be undertaken by the MIND lab will build on unique, innovative technologies created by Agrawala and other university researchers. These projects include development of an advanced system for locating users of cell phones based on a patented university technology and a Washington Tourist Information system to allow visitors to the region to use a single networked device for everything from taking a guided museum tour, to navigating around town, to purchasing tickets for a movie or show.
The MIND lab is part of the University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies, (UMIACS) within the College of Computer, Mathematical and Physical Sciences. UMIACS is a research unit whose mission is to foster interdisciplinary research and education in computing. The institute's research programs are led by distinguished faculty, most of whom hold joint appointments in the departments of computer science, electrical and computer engineering, geography, linguistics, philosophy and in the colleges of education, business and information studies.
* All company/product names mentioned may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders and are used for identification purposes only.
About Fujitsu
Fujitsu Limited (TSE: 6702) is a leading provider of Internet- based information technology solutions for the global marketplace. Comprising over 500 group companies and affiliates worldwide -- including ICL, Amdahl and DMR Consulting -- it had consolidated revenues of 5.26 trillion yen ($49.6 billion) in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2000. Fujitsu's pace-setting technologies, world-class computing and telecommunications platforms, and global corps of over 60,000 systems and services experts make it uniquely positioned to unleash the infinite possibilities of the Internet to help its customers succeed. Altogether, the Fujitsu Group has 188,000 employees and operations in over 100 countries.
Internet: http://www.fujitsu.com/
About Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd.
Founded in 1968 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujitsu Limited, Fujitsu Laboratories Limited is one of the premier research centers in the world. With eight laboratories in Japan, one in China and two in the United States, the organization conducts a wide range of basic and applied research in the areas of Multimedia, Personal Systems, Networks, Peripherals, Advanced Materials and Electronic Devices.
About the University of Maryland
The University of Maryland, College Park, is the only major public research university in the Middle Atlantic Region. Ranked as one of the top 25 public universities in the nation, Maryland is especially noted for its academic and research programs in computer science, electrical engineering and technology business, as well as its critical role in economic development through technology transfer and partnerships with government, business and industry.