Excellence or Mediocrity -
It's Our Choice
An Opinion Article Courtesy of the
Technology Alliance of Washington, - A statewide consortium of leaders from
Technology Businesses, Research Institutions and High-Tech Trade Associations
By Ed Fritzky, Chair, Technology Alliance
(President, Immunex Corp.)
Steve Davis, President, Technology Alliance
(President & CEO, Corbis)
Ken Myer, Board Member, Technology Alliance
(Principal, Atlantis Investment Group)
The Competitiveness Council made two recommendations that we can't afford to overlook as the state attempts to reconcile a $1.25 billion budget shortfall. First, we must increase support for research, development, and technology commercialization. Second, we must increase the supply of bachelor and master's level graduates from our state institutions, particularly in high demand fields such as engineering and science. As the Council pointed out, we are at risk of falling behind other states that are aggressively investing in these areas and their futures.
Historically, federal grants have been the primary source of funding for university research in Washington. The UW has been the leading recipient of federal funds among public universities in the nation, with faculty obtaining multi-million dollar federal research grants. Unfortunately, state support has been low in comparison. According to the National Science Foundation, Washington ranks 50th for state support of research at universities.
The outlook for federal funding is changing, as federal grants increasingly require state support. A look at other states raises the alarming question of how long we will remain competitive. California has invested $400 million over four years in "California Institutes for Science & Innovation." Georgia is spending $798 million over ten years on biotechnology, computer technology, and industry partnerships. For some states the commitment is in the billions: Illinois - $1.1 billion over five years; Michigan - $1 billion over 20 years; North Carolina - $3.1 billion over seven years. In contrast, our state has not been able to identify more than $6 million per biennium to support the Advanced Technology Initiative, our sole state-sponsored university research program.
The Technology Alliance is mobilizing public and private sector leaders to bring this issue to light and drive for a lasting solution. In addressing our current economic difficulties, we can't narrow our vision and focus only on the immediate situation. Yes, the state budget is severely stressed. But while it is tempting to simply ignore our long-term needs, this would be irresponsible and shortsighted.
Why is continued investment in research and higher education so important? Research institutions develop new technologies, commercialize them, and create new companies. In order to grow these new companies, an educated workforce must be available.
Higher education in our state is already under-funded. The result is reduced capacity for four year and graduate degrees at our colleges and universities. In fact, Washington ranks 46th nationally in the percentage of citizens enrolled in programs leading to bachelor's degrees. By failing to invest in higher education, we are failing to provide Washington residents with an opportunity for a first-class education in our state.
Washington has strong research centers that have made significant contributions to our economy. The major research universities - the University of Washington and Washington State University - and the leading independent institutions, such as the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the Battelle/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, supply much of the knowledge behind innovation and new company formation in Washington State. The UW alone has spun out nearly 150 technology-based businesses in the past 30 years. But these institutions, and the opportunities that they provide, are in jeopardy - a jeopardy not as visible as our transportation system, but no less real.
Now is not the time for us to disinvest. Instead, we must lay the groundwork for our future by making a sustained commitment to higher education and research. We urge you to let state leaders know that these are not the places to go to balance the budget.
The Technology Alliance is a statewide consortium of leaders from technology businesses, research institutions, and high-tech trade associations seeking to advance our state's economic vitality. We envision Washington as a global center of the innovation economy, built upon a highly educated workforce, world-class research and development, and thriving entrepreneurship.
Ed Fritzky is Chairman, President & CEO of Immunex Corporation and the Chair of the Technology Alliance. Steve Davis is President & CEO of Corbis and President of the Technology Alliance. Ken Myer is Principal, Atlantis Investment Group, and a board member of the Technology Alliance.
For more information on the Technology Alliance, please visit www.technology-alliance.com
or call Christina Hanby at 206.389.7320.
Technology Alliance of Washington
1301 Fifth Avenue, Ste 2400, Seattle, WA 98101 · 206-389-7261/206-389-7320 · FAX 206-903-3430.
