Gov. Chris Christie last month announced changes to institutes of higher learning in New Jersey, including the merger of Rowan University and Rutgers-Camden, with Rowan retaining its name. Rowan University President Ali Houshmand spoke with NJToday Managing Editor Mike Schneider about the planned merger and how it might affect the educational institutions.

Houshmand said he believes Rowan is up for the challenge to merge the two schools, which he said will benefit students at both institutes of higher learning. With the pooling of resources, Houshmand said the institution will be able to do more advanced research and become eligible for grants.

“You have two good institutions that have pockets of excellence and when you put these two great institutions together, you are going to create synergies in the areas where both institutions have excellence,” said Houshmand.

Houshmand said he doesn’t anticipate any programs being eliminated and believes some will be created after the merger.

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