Indiana Higher Education: From Competition to Collaboration

Dr. Beverley J. Pitts
The following article appeared in The Indianapolis Star on December 16, 2005.

It won't be long before the Indiana Economic Development Corporation unveils its strategic economic plan for the state. One of the proposals under consideration is to provide, in the next state budget, incentives for universities to develop education, research and connections that will move Indiana's economy forward and stem the flow of intellectual capital - the "Brain Drain."

Incentives would provide great impetus, but I propose we carry the idea a step further and design them to encourage collaboration among Indiana's institutions of higher education, large and small, public and independent.

Already, these institutions are highly involved in economic development. Much is written about our large, excellent research universities, which have business incubators and research parks, and are heavily integrated into Indiana's economic development initiatives, particularly in the vital life sciences.

And, let's not forget that the state's 31 smaller, independent institutions also are making a significant contribution to Indiana's economic well-being. The University of Indianapolis, for example, is involved in life sciences development at a different, yet equally critical level: our Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning, in partnership with BioCrossroads, is helping to identify the very best methods of teaching science, technology and math to Indiana's elementary and secondary schoolchildren. In so doing, CELL is ensuring that future workers will be well-grounded in these areas so important to our economy.

In terms of direct workforce development, the university is providing customized, on-site MBA programs based on the industry needs that are identified, not by us, but by our business partners. We also are working with business to create curriculum and internships in emerging careers.

Another of Indiana's independent institutions, the University of Evansville, is connecting faculty and senior-level students in business, engineering and computer science with businesses seeking help in tapping international opportunities. Through this Global Assistance Program, these advisers are positioned to consult in a range of areas, from market research and marketing strategy, to global accounting, foreign ownership, licensing and regulation. They are a rich resource for Evansville companies seeking to remain competitive in a global economy.

The institution where I began my teaching career, Anderson University, also provides important consulting services to businesses in partnership with the city of Anderson's Flagship Enterprise Center.

If there is any doubt about the impact Indiana's independent institutions have on Indiana's economy and economic development, consider this: these "small" institutions spent a total of more than $1.6 billion in fiscal year 2004. More than $878 million of that went into salaries, wages and benefits. Higher education is a significant industry in and of itself, and that industry adds to the intellectual capital of the state every year with the arrival of new faculty. In small communities, institutions such as Manchester College and DePauw University are anchors providing cultural as well as educational vitality.

It's clear that Indiana's colleges and universities are critical to the state's economic development, and most of us are working with business and government partners. Yet higher education is a competitive business, creating a disincentive for colleges to collaborate. If our economy is to benefit fully from this rich resource, we must surmount that barrier.

One way to do that is through funding mechanisms that encourage institutions to cooperate for the greater good. Financial incentives are a powerful tool for bringing public and private institutions together around an important mission. A state grant, for example, is enabling Ball State University to collaborate with another public institution, Purdue University, and three independents: the University of Notre Dame, Valparaiso University and Ohio University (Athens, Ohio), in a joint Center for Computational Nanoscience. This higher education public-private partnership is enhancing our understanding of nanoscale phenomena through computer modeling and simulations, adding to the knowledge base that can lead to new business development.

Other collaborations exist, too, but we have not begun to adequately tap the opportunity that exists. We speak of a higher education system in Indiana. Only when we have extensive cooperation between the public sector and the private, the large universities and the small, will we truly have a system that works to the fullest benefit of Indiana's citizens.