U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-08) a member of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cyber Security and Science and Technology and U.S. Rep. Albio Sires (D-NJ-13) today applauded the selection of Stevens Institute of Technology to serve as a national co-leader in the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) new effort to work with colleges and universities to study port and maritime security.

“I applaud the Department of Homeland Security for opening its eyes to the wealth of homeland security resources available through America’s research institutions,” stated Pascrell.  “Stevens Institute is located near one of the busiest ports in the world and boasts a strong tradition of technological accomplishment.  The selection of Stevens to act as a partner with the federal government in leading America’s port security effort is a smart and innovative idea.  We must depend more on the researchers, scientists and engineers who fully understand America’s complex infrastructure to protect our homeland.”   

“With the most dangerous two miles in the nation located right here in Northern New Jersey, there seems no better place in the country for the Department of Homeland Security to place its Center of Excellence than in Jersey City at Steven Institute of Technology,” stated Rep. Albio Sires.  “Stevens has had a long history of academic accomplishments in so many different areas, and I am sure that they will continue to help improve maritime and port security.”                            

Stevens Institute was selected with the University of Hawaii by the DHS Science and Technology Directorate to act as a Center for Excellence (COE) for maritime, island and port security.  Each school will receive a multi-year grant of up to $2 million per year over a period of four to six years.  

The selection was part of an announcement of five new COEs across the country that will study border security and immigration; explosives detection, mitigation, and response; maritime, island, and port security; natural disasters, coastal infrastructure, and emergency management; and transportation security.

This center will conduct research and develop technologies, tools and advanced methods to strengthen maritime domain awareness and safeguard populations and properties unique to U.S. island, and remote and extreme environments.  Stevens Institute of Technology will lead research and education for port security, and the University of Hawaii will lead research and education for maritime and island security.

The COE program is managed by the S&T Directorate’s Office of University Programs.  The program takes advantage of the unsurpassed research capabilities and intellectual capital of U.S. colleges and universities to fill knowledge and technology gaps for the Department.  By congressional authorization, each COE will be responsible for conducting multidisciplinary research and for developing education initiatives in areas important for homeland security.

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