Contact: Robbie Ward
Regional researchers, public policymakers, National Science Foundation representatives, other federal program managers, and industry representatives will take part in the Sunday-Tuesday [Aug. 19-21] forum designed to help align the Gulf Coast's higher education community. Their goal: Develop a science and engineering research agenda to propel the region in competitiveness and leadership in the global community.
"Gulf States Alliance: Network Science and Recovery" is being sponsored at Biloxi's Beau Rivage Hotel by the NSF's Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research Programs in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana. The program features presentations by national and regional authorities on science and engineering agendas for the region, as well as audience discussion groups.
Sandra Harpole, associate vice president for research and economic development at Mississippi State University, is project director for NPSCoR/Mississippi.
Harpole said organizers created the forum to build on the region's rich heritage and culture and natural resources to help improve the area's competitiveness in education, research and economics. In the context of recent hurricanes in the Gulf Coast region, making long-term science and engineering agendas a priority will advance the region through strategic planning and recovery, she explained.
For more about the Gulf Coast Post-Katrina Forum, visit http://forum2007.laepscor.org or contact Rachel Cruthirds at 225-938-1248 or Rachel.cruthirds@la.gov.