International and university-business cooperation

It is too good an experience to not share with others, so I am writing to share what I’m learning while in China.

I’m part of a joint delegation from North Carolina to China. The delegation has three sub-groups: individuals from North Carolina State University, the Research Triangle Park and Wake County North Carolina, and EDUCAUSE. 

There was a clear plan for the groups to come together the synergy between universities, business, and economic development and the key role of information technology globalization, and making rapid advances possible. Each group had a goal of exploring relationships in their own respective communities universities, IT, and business. But many activities were joint, reflecting the key role the Triangle research universities (NC State University, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill and Duke University) have in fostering business and economic development in North Carolina, particularly the Research Triangle Park area. As we are learning, the Research Triangle Park model as well as the university’s role in fostering innovation and economic development is replicated in China.