ROLE OF VIRGINIA TECH

ABOUT VIRGINIA TECH
Founded in 1872 as a land-grant college, Virginia Tech is the most comprehensive university in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  Today, Virginia Tech's eight colleges are dedicated to putting knowledge to work through teaching, research and engagement activities, and to fulfilling its vision to be among the top research universities in the nation.  Virginia Tech enrolls more than 27,000 undergraduate and graduate students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries in 180 academic degree programs.

PARTNERSHIP PLATFORM
Virginia Tech acts as an unbiased facilitator, providing a platform for partners to plan and develop the project, ensuring momentum, accountability and governance, as well as technology quality control.

LEADERSHIP AND AWARENESS BUILDING ON AN URGENT LOCAL PROBLEM
Virginia Tech initiates and implements this project, demonstrating by example the possibilities for guaranteed energy and cost savings in retrofitting existing buildings -- as opposed to new development where much of the research and public debate is now focused.

EDUCATIONAL TOOL

• Tailor VT construction and engineering teaching modules for green collar workforce development programs at junior colleges and vocational schools.
• Create hands-on case studies for graduate and executive students to examine and learn from, as well as build a blueprint and best practices for knowledge transfer for replication by other public-private partnerships and general practitioners across North America.
• Conduct awareness building outreach programs pre-K to Grade 12 elementary students.

LIVE LABORATORY RESEARCH
Virginia Tech carries out longer-term trans-disciplinary scientific research projects that build on existing expertise in every aspect of energy efficient retrofitting, as pilot scales up and replication opportunities arise.  This will also include developing relationships with international partners, particularly in Europe, with a view to sharing existing and new developments in retrofitting technology.