New York, NY – Students at New York Institute of Technology (NYIT), in collaboration with the Hostos Dream Project, are designing a sustainable model for school buildings in underserved school communities in the Dominican Republic.

The Hostos Dream Project, a non-profit organization that focuses on improving the quality of education and environmental conservation within the Dominican Republic, is developing a new paradigm for primary and secondary education in the country. Students in NYIT's School of Architecture and Design, under the guidance of Michele Bertomen, associate professor of architecture, are responsible for completing a site plan and prototype design for the first school being developed. Students will implement the design in collaboration with architects in the Dominican Republic.

"With this project and others, NYIT's School of Architecture and Design encourages the formation of student-led multidisciplinary teams to implement significant and sustainable works of architecture," said Bertomen. "These endeavors give our students the confidence in their education as they participate in the creation of a better world."

The students currently involved in this initiative from the School of Architecture and Design are John Min, Eunjee Park, Mahesh Rana, Giovanni Avanzi, Brian Kerbeykian, Stephanie Susanto, Ben Constabile, Christine Alaimo, Lena Savigne, Tony Grullon, Leisdania Reyes, Maureen Tua, Dyana Berthaud, and Adele Schachner. Students from the School of Engineering and Computing Sciences are welcome to participate.

The goal of the Hostos Dream Project is to develop a successful, sustainable school model that can be built in underserved school communities within the Dominican Republic and can also be replicated in other parts of the world.

NYIT students will make a special presentation at "Schools 4 DR," a fundraising event in support of the Hostos Dream Project, on Saturday, Oct. 2 from 8 p.m. to midnight at the Poet's Den Art Gallery, 309 E. 108th St. at Second Ave. in New York City. The event is sponsored by Simon, Eisenberg & Baum, LLP, and will feature live musical entertainment, an art exhibition by George "Sen" Morillo, networking opportunities, and a variety of presentations. Suggested donation is $25 and hors d'ouevres will be served.

To R.S.V.P. e-mail schools4dr@gmail.com or call 646.228.3059.

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New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) offers 90 degree programs, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees, in more than 50 fields of study, including architecture and design; arts and sciences; education; engineering and computing sciences; health professions; management; and osteopathic medicine. A non-profit independent, private institution of higher education, NYIT has 15,000 students attending campuses on Long Island and Manhattan, online, and at its global campuses. NYIT sponsors 11 NCAA Division II programs and one Division I team.

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Briana Samuels
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