Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the State Business Council Will Lead Next Steps

Troy, N.Y. — Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) called for today the creation of the New York Research Coalition. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and The Business Council of New York State agreed to bring together the private sector institutions to create the partnership.

The announcement was made at a roundtable discussion of higher education and economic issues, hosted by Rensselaer and organized by Senator Clinton.

The New York Research Coalition would create a partnership between the private sector and New York’s colleges and universities to increase federal research dollars for projects in New York state in biotechnology, information technology, and nanotechnology.

“As presidents of New York’s institutions of higher learning, we are charged with and committed to the expansion of knowledge through research and teaching,” said Rensselaer President Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson. “The research coalition announced today by Senator Clinton will extend that mission and advance the transfer of technology from the laboratory to the marketplace. This is critical, not only to the future of New York state but in undergirding the hopes of all people.” Jackson said.

“New prosperity comes from new technology, and new technology comes from university, industry, and government labs,” said Ed Reinfurt, vice president of The Business Council. “That’s why the Business Council encourages more collaboration among these institutions, and more government support for it. We will work closely with Senator Clinton and other elected officials, and with Rensselaer and other universities, to foster research partnerships that are intellectually and economically productive.”

Today’s roundtable event brought together college and university presidents from upstate New York who shared with Senator Clinton their perspectives on the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act; ways to promote, revitalize, and sustain upstate economic development; and the future of upstate New York’s institutions of higher learning.

This was the second such roundtable convened by Sen. Clinton. The first was held at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, N.Y., on May 21, 2001. That event brought together college presidents from the western part of the state. Today’s forum convened more than 20 college presidents to focus on the critical issues Sen. Clinton has identified.

“As the nation’s oldest technological university, dedicated to the application of science and engineering to the common purposes of life, Rensselaer has been privileged to host this discussion of ways higher education and our federal government can work together for the good of the state, the nation, and the world,” said Jackson.

Contact: Bruce Adams
Phone: (518) 276-6531
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