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Dear Faculty:

By striving for innovation, faculty at Western Carolina University and throughout the UNC system are uniquely positioned to contribute to economic development at the regional, national, and international levels. Commercialization of university-generated ideas—from science and technology to innovations in distance education—have brought hundreds of new products to the marketplace and spurred the creation of many new companies. However, you may not be aware of the opportunities to commercialize your own innovations or of the UNC infrastructure in place to assist with your entrepreneurial endeavors.

I'm pleased to announce three unique events planned for the spring that will shed light on the important role of university innovations in our economy:

▪          The 2003 Emerging Issues Forum, Jump-Starting Innovation: Government, Universities and Entrepreneurs, presented by the Institute for Emerging Issues, will bring together national and international leaders from business, government, and academia to assess traditional means of economic development.  In addition, the Emerging Issues Forum will analyze new strategies for fostering high-growth entrepreneurial firms and applying new technologies to traditional firms.  At the center of these discussions will be the proper and most effective roles for research universities in a knowledge-driven economy.  The Forum will be held at the Jane S. McKimmon Center, NC State University in Raleigh on February 10–11. For more information and to register, visit http://www.ncsu.edu/iei or call the Institute for Emerging Issues at 919-515-7741.

▪          Immediately following the Emerging Issues Forum, a special workshop will be held for UNC participants to express their views and ask questions of state leaders in technology transfer.  In particular, the workshop will focus on ways North Carolina can jump-start innovation for economic development.  To participate in this special workshop, please register at http://www.ncsu.edu/iei.

▪          The UNC Office of the President, with support from the National Science Foundation, is hosting no-cost state regional workshops for university faculty and staff interested in learning more about commercializing innovations.  These workshops offer you the opportunity to learn from experts in university technology transfer and from veteran faculty who have successfully commercialized their inventions. You will gain an in-depth understanding of the present role universities play in our modern, knowledge-based economy, and receive a guided tour of the paths to commercialization.

Building on the Emerging Issues forum, these one-day workshops will be held at seven sites throughout the state.  I urge you to attend the workshop that best fits your schedule.  As a special convenience to our faculty, note the sessions scheduled for Western Carolina University at the University Outreach Center on the attached list.  Space is limited, so please register by December 20.  You can learn more about this valuable opportunity and register for one of these workshops at http://technology.rti.org/uncworkshops.

I encourage you to participate in these exciting opportunities to learn more and share your views about how universities are contributing to the future of North Carolina and how you can enhance the impact of your innovations.