University of Michigan Business Engagement
Article written for 
www.annarborbusinessmagazine.com
Collaboration between universities and the private sector is a hot area right now. The business community is developing a more complete understanding of how to successfully engage the research strength of public universities. And universities are awakening to the power of collaborating with the business sector.
Leading in this development is U-M’s Business Engagement Center (BEC). The BEC is sponsored jointly by the U-M Office of the Vice President for Research (see lead article with Dr. Stephen Forrest) and the Office of University Development.
The BEC, now located in the North Campus Research Complex (NCRC), effectively acts as a gateway to U-M, enabling businesses to easily and effectively tap U-M resources. These resources can include research expertise and technology, facilities, student and alumni talent, professional development programs, student projects, and strategic giving opportunities. Established in 2007, the BEC is a leader among public universities in facilitating collaboration between universities and the private sector.
The Engaged University
In August, the BEC again demonstrated its leadership by hosting the 2011 Annual Conference for the Network of Academic Corporate Relations Officers (NACRO). A national organization, NACRO “serves the interests of university‐based professionals on the cutting‐edge of the changes taking place in the relationship between corporations and higher education.”
The conference gathered over 160 corporate relations professionals from research universities across the U.S and more than 30 representatives from industry for a two day session with the ultimate goal of developing more effective models for university-industry collaboration. Economic pressures, technological advancements, and globalization are pulling industry and academia together in new and creative ways.
Daryl Weinert is Executive Director of the BEC. Weinert heads the overall strategy for corporate interactions at the University of Michigan. He also serves on several boards, such as the Board of Directors of the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber.
Weinert was enthused by the energy and discussion among the attendees. “I think we’ve been a national leader in trying to figure out the ways to improve the interactions between industry and universities, so it’s fulfilling to see a much broader audience from around the country gathering here to discuss this question, ”said Weinert.
Impact on the Ann Arbor Area
In the opening plenary session of the NACRO conference, Weinert facilitated a panel discussion on how universities are changing their corporate relations structures to better interface with industry. The four-member panel included:
- James Duderstadt, President Emeritus and University Professor of Science and Engineering, University of Michigan
- Michael Finney, President & CEO, Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)
- Linda Katehi, Chancellor, University of California, Davis
- Sridhar Kota, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan
Michael Finney’s perspective naturally tended to address issues most directly affecting our local area economy. Interestingly, Finney’s focus is not only on the technology available at the university, but also the bright talent employed or educated by the university as well as its expansive alumni network.
According to Finney, “I’m very focused on the talent available in the state, so that companies can access that talent for their growth purposes. If we have the right kind of talent, the likelihood that we’d be an attractive location for businesses to start, to grow and to locate are pretty high.”
Finney notes that that U-M and other universities are key feeder systems for this talent so much in need by businesses. “Access to that talent, in my opinion, is the number one goal in the economic development world and is probably the single most significant thing our universities can contribute to a vibrant economic climate.”
“Second to that,” Finney continues, “is the intellectual horsepower that’s coming through the systems that we have here at our universities. That pipeline of innovation that’s coming through the university is also extremely important to our ability to have a robust economic climate.”
“And then there’s the alumni,” Finney concludes. “The University has some 500,000+ living alumni. If you just start looking at what their pedigree is within corporate America, you’d find it would be pretty amazing. If they are with companies that are growing, we want to get on their radar screen to talk to them about perhaps this state being the location for them.”
This idea of engaging the university beyond the licensing of new technology is growing, and the BEC is leading the way. The ongoing dialogue taking place at events such as this NACRO conference are generating new ideas for collaboration between universities like U-M and the business sector.
According to Weinert, “I’ve interacted with the different schools represented here and they’re all at different stages in their corporate relations efforts. But what’s clear is that universities across the country are coalescing around a movement to more effectively collaborate with industry. It’s good for everybody, the universities, the companies and the country.”
by David Baker and Margaret Baker
www.bakerstrategy.com
Tags: frontpage
