The Wisconsin
Technology Council has offered five broad principles to help guide a continued
public debate over the future of higher education in Wisconsin.
Contained in a
resolution passed by the Tech Council’s executive committee, and based on a
discussion by its full board of directors, the principles are founded on a
belief that Wisconsin’s economic future will be driven by its innovation
economy.
“Nations
and states with a competitive advantage in knowledge and innovation – and the
foresight to invest in nurturing both – are the best-positioned for long-term
economic growth,” reads the resolution, which can be found here. “Innovation and knowledge are the
twin drivers of 21st century economic success…. The University of
Wisconsin System, the Wisconsin Technical College System and Wisconsin’s
private, non-profit colleges and universities develop the talented people who
are essential sources of innovation and knowledge.”
Recommended
principles to be considered in setting policies regarding this vital economic
engine are:
- Recognize fundamental differences between the
UW’s doctoral-granting campuses and the system’s four-year institutions.
- Attract and retain the best faculty and
researchers at all of our institutions.
- Keep our universities affordable and
accessible for all residents who want to get a college education in Wisconsin.
- Improve the transfer of knowledge and ideas into
a prosperous Wisconsin economy.
- Be aware of the competitive world around
us.
“Our board expects to follow up on this resolution with more detailed
discussions throughout the coming year and beyond,” said Toni Sikes, chairwoman
of the Tech Council and an entrepreneur and investor who is co-founder of CODAworx.
“We want to be helpful to policymakers and others connected to Wisconsin’s
innovation economy as this conversation unfolds.”
The Tech Council is the independent, non-profit science and tech
advisory board to the governor and the Legislature. Its full resolution can be found
here and in the Tech Council’s newsroom.
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