Ten Great University Partners

By Charles Dexter Ward

Partnerships between academia and industry are a powerful catalyst for economic growth. Through these partnerships, companies can gain cost-effective access to specialized expertise, laboratories and analytical equipment, new intellectual property, and new graduates.

Many of the South's great universities offer programs to assist businesses. Companies "in the know" can tap into the research and resources offered by these quality institutions
Here are 10 great university partners:

University of Southern Mississippi

Southern Miss builds productive industry relationships throughout the South and the nation. The university offers several key resources such as Open-Source Software Institute, which promotes the development of software solutions and Mississippi Polymer Institute, which focuses on the sciences, computer applications, product design, and the manufacturing of polymers. Both of these programs help products go from inception to marketplace.

Meanwhile, the Center for Community and Economic Development assists businesses with strategic planning, education and training, research in data management and community analysis, and technical support.

University of Central Florida

Located in Orlando, UCF has research strengths in education, photonics, engineering, simulation, computer science, and alternative energy, as well as the emerging areas of nanoscience and life sciences. The 2002 University Research Scorecard published by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology listed UCF as first in the Southeast in the "current impact rating" of its technology. A strong spirit of collaboration has also made UCF an attractive partner for many Central Florida high-tech businesses and a catalyst for the region's tech development.

Mississippi State University

MSU's Center for Remote Sensing Technologies works on solving problems affecting agriculture, forestry and wildlife and transportation through computer modeling and workforce development. The university's Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems works with auto manufacturers to develop ways to produce better vehicles at reduced costs. And for furniture manufacturers and suppliers, MSU offers the Institute of Furniture Manufacturing and Management, focused on increasing this industry's international competitiveness.

University of South Carolina

USC's cutting-edge research supports 21st Century industry. For example, the National Science Foundation recently selected USC's College of Engineering and Information Technology to help steer research and develop technology on the use of fuel cells for industry. USC is also working to develop: new semiconductor and construction materials, more efficient energy sources, sensors with broad applications, ways to process hazardous wastes, and new database architectures for the information highway.

Along with its innovative research, USC is promoting economic growth in South Carolina. The university's businessLINK, with its single toll-free phone number and a dedicated Web site, makes it easy for business leaders to access resources, faculty, and research facilities. They can also gain assistance developing a business or finance plan, solving productivity and capacity utilization issues, developing a technology business start-up, outsourcing expensive research and development, and licensing inventions and innovations.

University of Kansas

KU's Higuchi Biosciences Center creates technology available for commercial licensing. This family of research centers conducts interdisciplinary research in biomedical problems, bioanalytical chemistry, drug delivery systems, neurological sciences immunology, combinatorial chemistry, gene delivery, and related biotechnology. This technology is often used to create new companies. The member centers also have collaborative agreements with companies, both large and small, for research in areas that serve the companies' specific commercial interests.

University of Alabama (Birmingham)

Moving technology into the marketplace continues to be a major thrust of UAB. Its Office for the Advancement of Developing Industries is a business incubator facility that houses new companies in such areas as biotechnology, robotics, software development, and medical devices. Meanwhile, the UAB Research Foundation serves as a conduit of information, discoveries, and inventions from researchers to businesses. In partnership with industry, it guides technology through laboratory observation, product development, and marketing.

The Southern Research Institute, an independent not-for-profit center for scientific research affiliated with UAB, offers innovative leadership in major scientific discoveries in drug development, engineering, aerospace, materials, chemical and biological defense, environment and energy research, and homeland security for businesses in the health, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, defense, homeland security, automotive, energy, aerospace, and engineering sectors.

Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech provides support for start-up technology companies, research commercialization and technology transfer, as well as technical and managerial assistance to Georgia industry.

Georgia Tech's Economic Development Institute helps grow the state's economy by providing technology-driven solutions for businesses and communities. Meanwhile, the school's Advanced Technology Development Center supports formation and growth of technology-based start-up companies. And, its Research Institute helps companies bring new products to market and supports technology initiatives.

University of Missouri

The University of Missouri's Office of Technology & Special Projects (OTSP) takes an aggressive, entrepreneurial, and industry-friendly approach to commercializing university technology. Once OTSP determines that university research has commercial potential, it facilitates the development of a start-up business around the technology. Support for start-up companies includes assistance in obtaining federal Small Business research and technology transfer awards, and linkage to sources of seed capital and venture capital, especially via the Missouri Seed Capital Fund.

University of Kentucky

UK's Advanced Science and Technology Commercialization Center (ASTeCC) combines a research facility where fundamental discoveries are made and a commercialization center where these discoveries become products in the marketplace. Its College of Engineering's Center for Aluminum Technology conducts R&D and provides technical assistance to the aluminum industry. In addition, The Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) conducts research and serves as the main storehouse of business and economic data on Kentucky. It also provides consultation services and contract research services for companies.

Virginia Technical College

VT's economic development arm connects academic resources and facilities with the needs of Virginia companies. For example, the university used its research capabilities to help attract a design center for a major auto manufacturer. VT Leaders also met with auto suppliers and various polymer companies to explore the fit between the university's research strengths and the needs of these businesses. In addition, VT has created the Corporate Research Center to link university research with commercial applications.