Drexel University, founded in 1892, and home to 25,000 students, is quickly becoming an academic powerhouse, driving social and environmental change. Initially founded as an institute for technology, Drexel now has 14 colleges and schools, including a medical school and a law school.

While a primary focus of Drexel still resides in engineering and science, the University also strongly emphasizes the art of innovation and entrepreneurship, both characteristics of the community’s ongoing development. Moreover, the university is known for its cooperative education program that links students’ studies to real world experiences regionally, nationally, and globally.

 

“President Fry came in with the idea to build Drexel not just as an urban university that is comprehensive, but an urban university that has a specific role as a driver of social economic development, and a key player in the rebirth of Philadelphia as a major international city.” - J. Mostov

 

Philadelphia, an evolving city in the midst of growth and transformation, has relied on Drexel’s infusion of interdisciplinary study and focus on creating space for invention. This commitment is evidenced by the creation of the Innovation Neighborhood, Drexel-owned properties dedicated to academic, research, and educational facilities as well as commercial and retail space. Acting as a central hub for travel among Philadelphia, New York, and Washington, D.C., this space was the unique vision of Drexel University President, John Fry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“It is truly connecting the growth of Philadelphia as a world-class city for investment and innovation to the city’s academic institutions and enterprises,” explained Drexel Vice Provost for Global Initiatives, Dr. Julie Mostov. “President Fry came in with the idea to build Drexel not just as an urban university that is comprehensive, but an urban university that has a specific role as a driver of social economic development, and a key player in the rebirth of Philadelphia as a major international city.”

 

To increase and enhance its global impact, Drexel has cultivated partnerships with the University of São Paulo and the Federal University of Santa Catarina. “We have a lot of interest in various programs there like engineering, information science, design, medicine, and public health,” said Dr. Mostov.

 

Current collaborations are also being developed with PUC Rio in urban sustainability and Fiocruz in Biomedical Engineering and Public Health. “We would really like to make sure that in the next three to five years we deepen all of these partnerships, so that there will be both student and faculty mobility and joint research,” emphasized Dr. Mostov. “We would love to see collaboration and research that is mutually beneficial to our universities.” 

 

Along with the school’s dedication to innovative education, these enduring relationships will continue to strengthen the intellectual, social, and economic environment in Philadelphia and at Drexel.