Disney-UCF Lifelong Learning Program:
A New paradigm in STEM and Business Workforce Development that reignites an historical Central Florida partnership

The 1960's has shaped Central Florida more than any time in recent history. In 1963, the construction of the Kennedy Space Center starts, in 1963 the University of Central Florida is funded with the motto "reach for the stars" as an engineering university in support of the space program, and in 1965, Walt Disney announces the creation of Disney World (the Florida Project). Via this research and education project, UCF and Disney rekindle an historical partnership for the benefit of our region. Lifelong learning is a novel educational paradigm that seek to keep Disney's engineering workforce competitive in the latest technologies, deep learning for this pilot.

This innovative model effectively results in a replicable and structured method to "inject" tangible innovation into an organization. We achieve this by bringing external experts to train teams of talented local engineers, technologist and product managers. These teams are mentored in the process to creating novel ideas that recombine the external expert's technology (Deep Learning) with the experience and ingenuity of the organization's engineers and managers. This program is inspired by a program to accelerate technology startup formation. The difference is that in this program, the startups being created are internal to the organization.

The teams ideate, develop, and transition, innovative products and processes. About 65% of these projects have been adopted as innovations across the entire Disney World global operations.

	Walt Disney Attractions, Inc. (Disney) Principal Investigator: Ivan Garibay $800,000.00 Jannuary 2018-March 2020 [Project Website] [Disney]

Lifelong Learning in Congress

In November 15, 2017, I was invited by US Congressman Darren Soto to the Capitol to provide congressional testimony on "Responsible Innovation via Lifelong Learning: Artificial Intelligence Opportunities and Challenges". Artificial Intelligence - Opportunities and Challenges Forum organized by The New Economy Task Force part of Jobs for America Task Forces.

[Remarks PDF] [Picture Gallery]

Collaborators

	Ozlem Ozmen Assistant Professor, Project Instructor University of Central Florida Industrial Engineering and Management Systems Department [Website]
	Oscar Rodriguez Project Instructor Entrepreneur in Residence University of Central Florida [Website]