Contact: Joe Farris
Some 300 business and industrial leaders concerned about Mississippi's economic future in a high-tech world meet Friday [April 14] at Mississippi State for a review of the university's research programs and directions.
The half-day summit at the Bost Extension Center auditorium includes presentations on initiatives in scientific agriculture, computational analysis, remote sensing, and social science research, as well as a historical perspective on the growth of university research.
National Medal of Science winner James Flanagan, vice president for research at Rutgers University, will begin the program with an 11:30 a.m. luncheon address titled "The Role of the Research University in the 21st Century." Flanagan graduated from Mississippi State in 1948.
Among other speakers will be President Malcolm Portera, who will give an overview of MSU's research agenda. Vice presidents Robert Altenkirch of research and Charles Lee of agriculture, forestry and veterinary medicine will provide more specific information.
The National Science Foundation currently ranks Mississippi State 59th among American universities in research and development activity. Moving into the top 50 is a university goal.
"Mississippi's ability to compete in the new economy of the 21st century is going to depend to a large degree on the research and technology base that our state has to offer potential investors," Portera said.
"The key to our success will be an aggressive public-private partnership between research universities such as Mississippi State and the leading scientific and high-tech businesses and industries in our state," he added.
In conjunction with the research summit, Mississippi Technology Inc. will hold its board meeting on campus Friday morning.
Both events also coincide with the start of Super Bulldog Weekend activities, the university's annual spring homecoming.
For more information, telephone the Office of Research at (662) 325-3570.