President John Kelly announced new plans for the Jupiter campus that he believes will draw national attention and bring in “the best and brightest kids from around the world.”

On Monday morning at FAU’s Honors College in Jupiter, Kelly spoke of a new partnership with science institutes Max Planck Florida and The Scripps Research Institute, both with locations in Jupiter. The press conference announced a new education program in collaboration with the leading science organizations.

FAU already partners with the research institutes, but the new proposal plans to involve undergraduates in the leading research and development that the organizations pursue.

Scripps, a non-profit biomedical institute based in California, and Max Planck, a neuroscience research institute based in Germany, will collaborate in newly announced degree programs, allowing students to be mentored by scientists throughout undergraduate research. The partnership would also allow shared use of the research facilities and labs in Jupiter.

“Who would not want this for their child?” Kelly said during the press conference. “To be able to do leading research and work in the laboratories alongside researchers from Scripps and Max Planck.”

CEO and Science Director of Max Planck Florida David Fitzpatrick suggested that the partnership between the three groups would propel FAU to compete with leading institutions throughout the country.

Kelly proposed expanding the relationship with Scripps and Max Planck when he was first hired in January 2014, eager to promote FAU as a research institute.

“You’d be foolish to look at a campus like this and not recognize its full potential,” he said.

Leaders of all three organizations signed a memorandum of understanding at the press conference, making the agreement official.

Check upressonline.com for more updates.