Biotech education center launches with $8 million in state support

RIT is receiving $8 million from New York state in support of the Center for Biotechnology Education and Training (CBET). The state funding will allow RIT to begin the design process for a 46,000-square-foot facility to house CBET.

The state funding includes $4 million from the state Senate's Gen*NY*sis fund, announced in September by Sen. James Alesi, and $4 million from the Assembly, announced in October by Assemblyman Joseph Morelle and Assemblymember Susan John.

CBET will train professionals in the biotech industry and educate the community about biotech issues in the news, such as bioterrorism and its environmental effects.
“This funding provides us with the additional resources needed to move forward on this important program,” says President Albert Simone. “Because of CBET, it is possible for Rochester and RIT to offer an extraordinary advantage to this industry – that is, access to the highly specialized talent that this facility will provide.”

Conceived as a national model for comprehensive academic and career training programs in biotechnology, the center will increase New York state's competitive position in attracting biotechnology and biomanufacturing companies. RIT has been offering the bachelor's degree in biotechnology since 1983. “This new Center will take RIT to the next level as an educational leader in this rapidly growing field,” said Simone.