Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

A new partnership aimed at fostering innovation, educational growth and workforce development in the Tri-Valley region has blossomed. 

The Chabot-Las Positas Community College District (CLPCCD) and Innovation for Green Advanced Transportation Excellence Development Corporation (i-GATE) signed a memorandum of understanding formalizing their commitment to providing new opportunities for students, entrepreneurs and the broader community, according to a joint statement from the organizations. 

“This partnership exemplifies our commitment to equipping students with the skills and resources they need to thrive in today’s dynamic workforce,” said Ronald Gerhard, CLPCCD chancellor. “By working with i-GATE, we’re opening doors to transformative opportunities in education, research, and innovation.”

The partnership seeks to leverage the strengths of both organizations to create a vibrant ecosystem for learning and innovation. 

Las Positas College, a cornerstone of CLPCCD, brings its STEM programs, state-of-the-art facilities and strong commitment to student success. Meanwhile, i-GATE offers world-class resources for startups, including access to Daybreak Labs, which specializes in life sciences and deep tech research and development. 

“At i-GATE, our mission has always been to build a thriving startup community and support entrepreneurs with the tools they need to succeed,” said Yolanda Fintschenko, executive director of i-GATE. “Partnering with CLPCCD aligns perfectly with this vision and allows us to directly impact the next generation of innovators.”

Some objectives of the collaboration between the two entities include providing students with hands-on training, internships and potential employment opportunities in cutting-edge industries; allowing students access to research facilities and mentorship to explore innovative solutions in life sciences and deep technology; and hosting joint events, workshops and other initiatives to engage the community and foster collaboration between students and entrepreneurs.

In addition to professional development opportunities, the CLPCCD and i-GATE partnership will also explore the potential development of an Innovation Campus and Student Co-Op at Las Positas College, creating a hub for collaborative learning and business development.

For more information about the new partnership or to learn about upcoming initiatives, contact yolandaf@igateihub.org or dramos@clpccd.org.

Most Popular

Cierra is a Livermore native who started her journalism career as an intern and later staff reporter for the Pleasanton Weekly after graduating from CSU Monterey Bay with a bachelor's degree in journalism...

Leave a comment