Friday, March 02, 2007

Polytechnic University of New York


Polytechnic University (Brooklyn Poly, Poly, or Polytech), located in the Borough of Brooklyn in New York City, is the United States' second oldest private technological university, founded in 1854.

A private, co-educational institution, Polytechnic has a distinguished history in electrical engineering, polymer chemistry, aerospace and microwave engineering. Currently, it is a leader in telecommunications, information science and technology management. The University is also known for its outstanding research centers as well as its outreach programs to encourage math and science education in New York elementary and high schools. In addition to its main campus at MetroTech Center in Brooklyn, Polytechnic offers programs at sites throughout the region, including Long Island, Manhattan and Westchester. Additionally, the University offers several programs in Israel.

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Polytechnic played a leadership role in bringing about MetroTech Center, one of the largest urban university-corporate parks in the world and the largest in the United States. Today, the 16 acre (65,000 m²), $1 billion complex is home to the University and several technology-dependent companies, including KeySpan Energy, Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Bear Stearns and Company, Securities Industries Automation Corporation, New York City Police Department's 911 Center, New York City Fire Department Headquarters and the U.S. technology and operations functions of JPMorgan Chase. In 1998, a Marriott Hotel was built adjacent to MetroTech. MetroTech has proven to be a case study in university, corporate, government and private-developer cooperation, and has resulted in renewing an area that once had been a site of urban decay.

The Bern Dibner Library of Science and Technology, opened in 1990 in a new building, is Polytechnic's information hub, accessible online from anywhere, on or off campus, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition, wireless networks allow users with notebook computers to access the library's electronic services from anywhere on campus.