POTSDAM, N.Y., July 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As manufacturers race to adopt artificial intelligence, strengthen supply chains and expand production, Clarkson University is giving students a front-row seat to the industry’s transformation through a new seminar course led by executives from some of the world’s leading manufacturing companies.

The new one-credit seminar, Introduction to Manufacturing, will launch during the fall 2026 semester through Clarkson University’s Center for Advanced Materials Processing (CAMP). The course will introduce students to the technical, business and strategic dimensions of modern manufacturing.

The weekly seminar is open to graduate students and upper-class undergraduates from all majors, including non-engineering disciplines. Members of the public are also invited to attend the lectures free of charge. Registration information is available on Clarkson’s Introduction to Manufacturing webpage.

The seminar will feature senior executives, CEOs, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and technology leaders who have helped shape industries ranging from semiconductors and aerospace to medical devices, consumer products, robotics, advanced sensors, and modular construction. Speakers will share insights into how products move from concept to commercialization, the challenges of leading complex manufacturing organizations, and the technologies transforming factories around the world.

“Manufacturing is evolving rapidly, and students entering the workforce and professionals need an understanding of both the technology and the business decisions that drive our industry,” said John Whitman, corporate vice president at Micron Technology Inc. “Clarkson’s Introduction to Manufacturing course creates an opportunity for students and professionals to hear directly from industry leaders about the challenges, opportunities and innovations shaping manufacturing today.”

Students and professionals will also explore manufacturing strategy, product development, operations, automation, artificial intelligence, smart manufacturing, supply chain resilience, digital transformation, quality systems, sustainability, workforce development, and the growing role of manufacturing in economic competitiveness and national security.

“Advanced manufacturing continues to be a major driver of New York’s economy, making workforce development more important than ever,” said Hope Knight, president, CEO and commissioner of Empire State Development. “Clarkson’s Introduction to Manufacturing course gives students and professionals valuable exposure to industry perspectives while helping prepare the next generation of talent that will support continued growth across the state’s manufacturing sector.”

The course will be taught and moderated by Fram Akiki ’86, president of Joun Technologies and a member of Clarkson University’s Board of Trustees. Akiki has more than 40 years of experience in the semiconductor industry, including executive leadership positions with IBM, Qualcomm and Siemens.

Featured speakers for the Fall 2026 seminar include:

Priya Abani ’97, CEO and president, AliveCor Inc.Greg Akiki ’82, senior director, GlobalFoundriesTom Capek P’15, senior vice president and chief engineer, Corning Inc.Hannah Henley ’10, president, INFICON Intelligent Sensor SolutionsBill Kleftis, CEO, Spartan Consulting ServicesSteve Landry, retired executive, TreeHouse Foods, The J.M. Smucker Co. and Procter & GambleHope Knight, president, CEO and commissioner, Empire State DevelopmentKen McAvey ’97, senior vice president and general manager, GlobalFoundriesRoland Menassa ’85, vice president of Manufacturing Technology, Skyline Champion Corp.Chris Monoski, executive vice president of Manufacturing, CACI International Inc.Elisabeth Reynolds, professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and former White House National Economic Council officialAmy Villeneuve ’86, board director, advisor and former COO and president, Amazon RoboticsJohn Whitman, corporate vice president, Micron Technology Inc.

Introduction to Manufacturing is the third executive seminar series launched at Clarkson, following the success of Introduction to Semiconductors and Introduction to Energy and Utilities. Together, the courses connect students and professionals with industry experts while providing insight into emerging technologies, workforce trends and the challenges shaping critical sectors of the global economy.

For more information about Introduction to Manufacturing, visit the Clarkson Introduction to Manufacturing webpage

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SOURCE Clarkson University

New name recognizes Mr. Goldenberg’s decades of leadership in advancing Canadian research and innovation

OTTAWA, ON, July 31, 2026 /CNW/ — Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, and the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health, announced that the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs program has been renamed the Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs of Canada.

The name change honours the late Eddie Goldenberg, a distinguished public servant and former chief of staff to Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, whose decades of leadership helped shape Canada’s modern research and innovation landscape. A passionate advocate of excellence and opportunity, Mr. Goldenberg recognized that attracting the world’s brightest minds was essential to Canada’s prosperity and global competitiveness. His commitment to strengthening Canada’s research ecosystem helped inspire the ideas and collaborations that continue to attract exceptional talent to Canada today.

Working alongside the Right Honourable David Johnston, former Governor General of Canada, and Dr. Alan Bernstein, Mr. Goldenberg helped play a pivotal role in advancing the Canada Global Impact+ Research Talent Initiative, launched in December 2025 as part of a $1.7 billion investment announced in Budget 2025. The initiative reflects a conviction that guided Mr. Goldenberg throughout his life and career: that Canada’s greatest strength lies in the talent, ideas and ambition of its people.

At the heart of this investment is the Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs of Canada, which will provide up to $1 billion over 12 years to support Canadian post-secondary institutions in recruiting exceptional international researchers and expatriate Canadian researchers leading transformational research projects. These chairs will help ensure that the next generation of researchers, innovators and leaders have the opportunity to build their futures in Canada and contribute to discoveries that will benefit people across the country and around the world.

By honouring Eddie Goldenberg in this way, we recognize not only his extraordinary contributions to public service but also his lifelong commitment to building a stronger Canada–one that attracts the best and brightest, supports bold ideas and believes in the power of knowledge to shape a better future.

Quotes

“Eddie Goldenberg devoted his life to advancing Canada’s ambitions and strengthening our place in the world. His vision and unwavering belief in the power of research, innovation and talent helped shape the institutions and investments that continue to fuel our country’s success. Renaming our world-class international research chairs program in his honour is a fitting tribute to his extraordinary legacy and a commitment to carrying his vision forward by inspiring the next generation of global research leaders to choose Canada.”
– The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

“Research is one of Canada’s greatest strengths. Throughout his career, Eddie Goldenberg helped foster an environment where bold ideas could grow into lasting impact. The renaming of this program honours his contributions to strengthening Canada’s research ecosystem and advancing discovery.”
– The Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health

Quick facts

The Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs of Canada remains the centrepiece of the Canada Global Impact+ Research Talent Initiative. The names of the initiative’s other three programs remain unchanged:Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders programCanada Impact+ Research Infrastructure FundCanada Impact+ Research Training AwardsAll four programs under this initiative will continue to operate under the same objectives, eligibility criteria, and terms and conditions.After a career spanning more than three decades in public policy and public affairs, Eddie Goldenberg served as chief of staff to Prime Minister Jean Chrétien in 2003.In 2013, Mr. Goldenberg was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in recognition of his contributions to public policy in Canada and his championing of innovation and research excellence.

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Uninsured Patients Have More Tools to Reduce Prescription Drug Costs Than Many Realize, From Generics to Patient Assistance Programs.

GREENVILLE, S.C., July 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — How can people without health insurance lower what they pay for prescription medications? A HelloNation article details practical strategies for reducing prescription costs without insurance, walking through options from generic medications and pharmacy price comparison to community health resources and manufacturer assistance programs.

The article starts with generic medications as the first and most accessible option for uninsured patients. A generic drug contains the same active ingredient as its brand-name equivalent and must meet the same safety and effectiveness standards set by the Food and Drug Administration. Prices for generic medications are typically far lower than brand-name versions, sometimes by 80 percent or more, making this one of the most immediate ways to reduce what a patient pays at the pharmacy.

Pharmacy price comparison is described in the article as one of the most effective steps uninsured patients can take. Prescription drug prices are not fixed across all pharmacies, and the same medication can cost significantly different amounts depending on where it is purchased. Online price comparison tools allow patients to search for a specific drug and see what multiple pharmacies in their area charge, with some patients finding savings of 50 percent or more by filling a prescription at a different nearby location.

Discount prescription programs are also highlighted as a widely available resource that does not require insurance enrollment. Prescription Savings Expert Carl Stecker’s work aligns closely with this part of the article, which explains that patients can present a discount card or use a smartphone app at the pharmacy counter to receive a reduced price, sometimes lower than what insured patients pay through their own coverage. Many of these programs are free to join and accepted at thousands of pharmacies nationwide.

The article encourages patients to speak openly with their pharmacist about cost, noting that this step is often overlooked. Pharmacists are knowledgeable about pricing options and may be aware of discounts, alternative formulations, or therapeutic substitutes that a physician has not mentioned. In some cases, a pharmacist can contact a prescribing doctor to discuss whether a lower-cost alternative would work just as well for the patient.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers offer patient assistance programs for many brand-name drugs, the article notes. These programs are designed to help people who cannot afford their medication, particularly those who are uninsured or who have exhausted other options. Many programs provide medications at no cost or at a significantly reduced price to qualifying patients, with information typically available through the drug manufacturer’s website or through a pharmacist.

Federally qualified health centers and community health clinics are identified as another resource for patients without insurance. These facilities serve patients on a sliding fee scale based on income and many have arrangements with local pharmacies to provide medications at discounted prices. Some states also operate their own pharmaceutical assistance programs for residents who meet income and eligibility requirements.

The article concludes by emphasizing that managing prescription costs without insurance takes effort but that real options exist at every step of the process. From the doctor’s office to the pharmacy counter, Prescription Savings Expert Carl Stecker’s perspective reinforces the article’s message that asking the right questions is one of the most reliable ways to keep medication costs manageable for uninsured patients.

How to Lower Prescription Costs When You Do Not Have Insurance features insights from Carl Stecker, Prescription Savings Expert of Greenville, South Carolina, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation

HelloNation is America’s Good News Network, a premier media platform built on the idea that good news travels faster when real people tell real stories. Through its community-focused digital publications and innovative “edvertising” approach, HelloNation delivers expert-driven, good-news content that informs, inspires, and spotlights the leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

www.hellonation.com

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SOURCE HelloNation