Prepping the pipeline

BY KELLY RUSCH

North Dakota’s economic growth, driven by multiple market segments, receives global attention. Technology and human capital are among the drivers playing a role in that success. Research universities as part of the higher education system are among resources available to assist in fueling sustained growth.

Job Service North Dakota statistics often show job openings in the state in excess of 20,000. In September, for example, the state’s rate of active resumes per job opening was just 0.3 percent. Job Service noted that a rate below 1.0 shows more job openings than active resumes.

Research universities are in a position to prep the pipeline with human capital — students and graduates who can assist businesses and communities in meeting future challenges. For example, the Students in Technology Training and Research program matches students in science, technology, engineering and math with companies to solve technology challenges. It is part of the North Dakota Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, a North Dakota University System program. More than 98 companies have participated in STTAR since its inception.

The ND-EPSCoR received a $20 million competitive federal award to strengthen the state’s research infrastructure over the next five years. This includes Innovation and Strategic Program Initiatives for Research and Education (INSPIRE-ND) to contribute to North Dakota’s traditional economic driver of agriculture, while developing science infrastructure for high technology and market sectors. Goals include building and diversifying the state’s science and technology workforce for advanced manufacturing, energy and technology-based businesses.

Prepping the pipeline occurs in many different ways. North Dakota State University provides opportunities to encourage entrepreneurship with the

Innovation Challenge program. Managed by the NDSU Research and Technology Park, it provides students opportunities to generate and potentially commercialize good ideas for market. Additional opportunities are provided through NDSU Explore, an annual event that gives undergraduate students an opportunity to present their research to the community.

We’ve developed new senior design template agreements that provide ways for undergraduate students to potentially possess intellectual property and discoveries generated from their senior design projects created within for-credit courses. These template agreements permit students who choose to work with companies on projects to select how they ultimately prefer to share and protect their discoveries.

We continue enhancing our focus on working with corporations and foundations to generate research partnerships that benefit industry, businesses and students. Jolynne Tschetter joins our current business/industry team as executive director for corporate and foundation research relations at NDSU, to build opportunities with foundations and business partners interested in accessing research expertise here.

Rather than create a maze, we look to build an interconnected pipeline of human assets extending across the state. Research universities help shape the future of students and the communities in which we live. Prepping the pipeline with human capital helps the region achieve sustained success, strengthens the workforce, and creates future opportunities for students and companies in the region. We look forward to working with you in the future. PB

Kelly Rusch Vice President for Research and Creative Activity North Dakota State University

Kelly.Rusch@ndsu.edu

Twitter:

@NDSU