POTSDAM -- Clarkson University and AECOM Technology Corporation announced Thursday that they have established a program of collaboration on innovation, research and development, technical excellence and advancement, recruiting, diversity, social responsibility, and educational partnerships.

A major component of the agreement, which both organizations believe will advance their missions, is water research.

AECOM will fund a fellowship for a graduate student who will specialize in water research and will help provide support to Clarkson’s ongoing Engineers Without Borders water project in Ecuador.

“This important partnership with AECOM will address one of our key institutional priorities, ‘Technology Serving Humanity,’” said Clarkson President Tony Collins. “Academic alliances with key corporate partners such as AECOM allow Clarkson to enhance and accelerate our institution’s evolution to excellence in education and research.”

The alliance is also beneficial to AECOM.

“AECOM’s core purpose is to create, enhance, and sustain the world’s built, natural, and social environments,” said Tony Bouchard, executive vice president and region executive of AECOM’s U.S. Midwest Region, and a 1985 Clarkson graduate.

“Academic alliances with premier institutions such as Clarkson help us achieve this goal. Working closely together, Clarkson and AECOM have identified intersection points of strategic value for both organizations. We strongly believe this initial focus on alignment will ensure a robust and sustainable alliance,” said Bouchard.

“AECOM is committed to various projects around the world that are working to find innovative solutions to water shortage and water quality issues, as well as developing sustainable improvements in our aquatic ecosystems,” said Bouchard. “We are excited to offer a Clarkson graduate student fellowship to advance water research and to be funding the important Engineers Without Borders program in Ecuador, which itself is dedicated to providing clean drinking water to a small village.”

“Meeting global water demand, improving water quality and supply, and maintaining aquatic ecosystems are more important today than ever before,” said Collins. “Due to changes in global population, massive urbanization, and climate change, these concerns are only going to become more serious in the future. At Clarkson, we’re eager to play a role in finding solutions to these emerging issues.”

AECOM provides professional technical and management support services to transportation, facilities, environmental, energy, water and government sectors, among others. With approximately 45,000 employees around the world, AECOM claims to be a leader in all the key markets that it serves. A Fortune 500 company, AECOM serves clients in approximately 125 countries and had revenue of $7.7 billion during the year ended June 30, 2011.

More information on AECOM and its services can be found at http://www.aecom.com.