Conference keys on university role in economic growth

An international conference June 9-12 will target the expanding role of university research parks in spurring economic development.

The Association of University Related Research Parks (AURRP) will hold its 14th annual conference at the Monona Terrace Convention Center and at the University Research Park. AURRP has a membership of more than 230 research parks that are affiliated with a college or university.

Highlights of the meeting include keynote addresses from Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala and Internet II development leader Douglas Van Houweling. Also scheduled is a panel discussion featuring three leaders of Midwestern universities, focusing on higher education’s growing responsibility to promote high-tech business and job growth.

Wayne McGown, director of the University of Wisconsin–Madison research park, said the AURRP’s decision to hold its meeting here is a great reflection on University Research Park, now in its 15th year. In 1996, it was named AURRP’s Research Park of the Year.

“I think Madison winning that award piqued everyone’s interest in the park,” McGown said. “The conference should help raise the area’s profile nationally as a high-tech center.”

University research parks are booming across the country and world, McGown said. The growth is fueled by a stronger emphasis at universities of patenting and applying research gains. “We are capturing more of that economic potential now than ever before.”

Programs of general interest include:

• A banquet address by Shalala on Friday, June 11, from 6-9 p.m. Shalala will talk about future public policy directions in life sciences research and how science funding affects economic development.
• An Internet II progress report on Thursday, June 10, from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. led by Van Houweling, president and CEO of University Corporation for Advanced Internet Development. He will discuss the high-speed network’s potential for university and business collaboration.
• A panel on Thursday, June 10, from 9:15-11:15 a.m. on the future of universities in a technology-led economy. Panelists include UW–Madison Chancellor David Ward; University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Chancellor Michael Aiken; and Iowa State University President Martin Jischke.

Corporate partners in the conference are: Alliant Energy, CUNA Mutual Group, Madison Gas and Electric, Ultratec, and University Research Park. Major sponsors are Anchor Bank, The Bruce Company, Energy Center of Wisconsin, and M&I Bank.

Conference guests will also have access to two scheduled tours and two seminars at the Research Park on Madison’s west side. Advance registration is required. For more information, contact the research park office, (608) 262-2677.