Over the past 15 years, FedEx Corporate Services Inc. has invested more than $8.875 million in the FedEx Institute of Technology. On March 27, FedEx made an additional $3 million investment to be distributed over three years to the FedEx Institute of Technology at University of Memphis.
This investment will assist the areas of continued investment such as data analytics, information security and testing, intermodal freight transportation, mobile sensors, and quality data management.
President M. David Rudd’s goal for the institute was to advance interdisciplinary research and faculty collaboration with partnership with global technology organizations.
“The University of Memphis and FedEx are a natural fit for leading technology innovation journey in niche areas that matter to our region and in which we have international leadership,” said the executive director of the FedEx Institute of Technology and the chief of innovation office, Dr. Jasbir Dhaliwal. “We want everyone in the country to know what a great public-private collaborative relationship we have built as we promote Memphis as a technology hub for the future.”
Students have also shown their excitement for the new investment from FedEx.
“I was more than excited to hear that FedEx made the $3 million investment,” said business accounting major, David Rainter. “I know it’s one of our top investors so it’s always great to hear that they have committed to investing again so we can better our institution for not only current students, but students coming in as freshman.”
Lauren Perry, another business major agreed.
“I just believe that this is great overall, due to the fact that Fogelman has always made sure to build a partnership with FedEx,” she said. “I really think it’s great that they make sure that we continue to have that foundation with them.”
Even though some students are very excited about the investment, other students have not showed any interest of even acknowledgement of the good news.
“I didn’t even know anything about it,” said business finance major, Jeffrey Campbell. “I guess that is pretty good that FedEx is donating all that money to us.”
Through this investment it is said that the University of Memphis will enter into a partnership framework with Memphis Bioworks Foundation, the Entrepreneurship Powered Innovation Center (EPI center) program, the Greater Memphis Chambers Chairman’s Circle, and other corporate partners to advance logistics innovation.
The institution has three main categories that are targeted to students including technology commercialization, corporate engagement, and entrepreneurship.
The U of M FedEx Institute of Technology has made it their duty to help students and faculty develop their own high growth companies and provide resources, mentors, technology, and physical space.
