- UCLA and the Port of Los Angeles have signed a new memorandum of understanding to advance sustainability and create workforce opportunities.
- The partnership focuses on collaborations with local communities like San Pedro and Wilmington, enhancing health, environment, and education.
- The partnership will support sustainable port operations and provide research opportunities, particularly in environmental protection and clean technologies.
On November 15, 2024, UCLA and the Port of Los Angeles solidified a new collaboration by signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at enhancing sustainability and improving community well-being. The agreement is a significant step toward fostering environmental innovation, job creation, and educational growth in local communities, particularly in areas near the port like San Pedro and Wilmington..
The Key Elements of the Partnership
Sustainability and Community Health
UCLA and the Port of Los Angeles aim to collaborate on environmental initiatives that will directly benefit surrounding neighborhoods, improving public health and the region’s sustainability practices.
Creating New Learning Opportunities
This agreement will create new avenues for students and faculty at UCLA, as well as for local community members, by introducing research and workforce training in areas like clean technology, climate change, and environmental justice.
Advancing Maritime and Environmental Research
Both institutions have a history of working together on impactful research, such as projects on energy efficiency, air quality, and carbon dioxide-removal technology, which have had tangible benefits for sustainability.
Previous Collaborative Successes
Both the Port of Los Angeles and UCLA have a history of fruitful partnerships. Key research initiatives include the testing of carbon dioxide removal technologies and efforts by UCLA schools to assess energy operations and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
This growing collaboration has already shown significant promise in making real-world environmental impacts.
Benefits for UCLA South Bay
UCLA South Bay, acquired in 2022, is part of this partnership and will offer educational programs focused on sustainability, climate change, and environmental justice.
The campus is ideally positioned to enhance local community engagement and serve as a hub for these important initiatives.
A Shared Commitment to Sustainability
UCLA’s Interim Chancellor, Darnell Hunt, emphasized that the partnership will foster innovation and build healthier communities across the region, aligning both institutions’ goals.
Gene Seroka, Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles, expressed that this collaboration holds significant long-term potential, especially in optimizing port operations and reducing emissions.
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Source: UCLA
