From: Visions
August 2003
Volume 3 Issue 8
thechamber (albany-colonie regional chamber of commerce)
In my mind, it is no coincidence that International SEMATECH, Tokyo Electron and a growing list of technology companies have decided to locate significant operations here in Tech Valley. As one who has spent
more than 25 years in higher education, I recognize the significant role
institutions of higher learning play in spurring economic development. These knowledge-based companies, and surely those that will follow, make their business decisions based on their most essential need – access to intellectual capital.
In Tech Valley, and throughout much of New York state, we are fortunate to have the most comprehensive array of colleges and universities in the nation. In addition, perhaps more than ever before in this region, we are seeing a convergence of business, education and government that enables us to leverage our abundant resources to improve both the economic climate and overall quality of life for all.
At Union, we have for more than 200 years prided ourselves on educating individuals to be contributing members of the global community. In this spirit, Union, and the other fine undergraduate institutions in the Capital Region, represent essential components
in ensuring that what is now an R&D focus in key technology areas –
biotechnology and nanotechnology – moves from the laboratory to the
marketplace. History shows that undergraduates often take the lead in
commercializing technology. Witness Steve Case, Michael Dell and Bill Gates. We need to understand and maximize the potential of the undergraduate in this dynamic economy.
As evidenced by the dot-com enterprise, there are perils in a narrowly defined economy. Diversity in knowledge is a must. As much
as we need skilled lab technicians and research scientists, we must have an abundance of people who can communicate, learn and think critically.
We are engaged at Union in converging technologies (CT), a first-of-its-kind initiative to address the effects – both opportunities and challenges – of a computerized, technology-based society. Designed to build on the strengths of our engineering and science programs and bridge these disciplines with a classical liberal arts program, CT will produce graduates who are “at home” in both of these essential areas.
In my mind, delaying exposure to the emerging fields of nanotechnology, bioengineering, mechatronics and pervasive computing until the graduate level is far too limiting. Consider, for instance, a political scientist who has an applied knowledge of technology as well as a
deep understanding of the municipal decision-making process. Would not that person prove to be a valuable asset to any community deliberating the citing of a major manufacturing facility, such as a chip-fab plant?
Undergraduate institutions are doing their part to address the needs of our work force as well. Gender and ethnic diversity are sorely needed in the engineering and technology industries. The EDGE Program (Educating Girls as Engineers) is a Union-sponsored program to encourage high school girls to pursue careers in this vital field. Recognizing that diversity is defined, appropriately, in many ways (by gender, geography or ethnicity), the two-week resi-dential program
welcomes girls from across the country to experience real engineering and to enjoy what life at college offers. Working closely with local industry partners and high schools in dozens of states, we believe that programs like EDGE will thrive at Union and that similar programs would work at other institutions throughout Tech Valley.
From outstanding community colleges, to a broad range of quality undergraduate institutions, to some of the nation's leading research
universities, Tech Valley has much to offer in and out of the classroom. As we strive to support the success of Tech Valley, collaboration is
essential, for higher education is our greatest strength.
—Roger H. Hull
President
Union College