Return to Table of Contents
We are open for business and our prospects are exciting. Although the Advanced Research and Technology Institute won't celebrate its first anniversary until next September, my initial meetings with chancellors, deans and faculty have registered a singular impression: The extraordinary intellectual resource at Indiana University is ideally positioned to play an important role in addressing our nation's educational, social, cultural and economic needs in the 21st century.
Our timing is excellent. When IU President Brand announced his intention to establish ARTI about 12 months ago, that decision followed years of downsizing, right-sizing, re-engineering and re-inventing by private business and industry. As a consequence, the private sector more than ever needs to tap into higher education's intellectual enterprise for access to global knowledge and creative thinking. The Strategic Directions Charter for America's New Public University is absolutely on target.
Not only is the university blessed with a wonderful array of scholarly talent, our faculty eagerly seek the knowledge transfer that occurs when they work cooperatively with scientists and other experts in private industry. I am confident that by acting in concert with ARTI's faculty advisers, we will be able to identify the needs and projects in the private and governmental sectors that are best suited for IU and that provide appropriate opportunities for academic research and consulting.
Even more interest and enthusiasm about ARTI exists among the corporate executives with whom I am meeting. Too often those leaders have not thought of Indiana University as a resource providing answers to their needs. And when they have been interested in IU, they have frequently been confused about how to access the right individuals and departments in order to seek help. Yes, IU does have some catching up to do, but I assure you our new message about the creation of ARTI's services is being well received.
An example. Many Indiana companies are thinking about doing business in China. They have two major questions: Should we? And, if so, how? Our expertise about China covers history, political science, economics, culture and languages. IU faculty can provide the assistance these companies need to make better decisions, increase their level of success and, in the process, create more jobs for Hoosier citizens.
Because ARTI is a private, not-for-profit corporation, it has flexibility not always enjoyed by the university. For both the faculty and for the corporation, ARTI provides one-stop shopping. Our agenda for 1997 includes:
Your comments and questions are welcome. We would be pleased to provide additional details.