On Oct. 15, the presidents of Michigan State University, Wayne State University, and the University of Michigan discussed how their institutions collaborate on groundbreaking research and attract and support companies across industries like artificial intelligence (AI), advanced manufacturing, life and health sciences, and sustainability.
On the URC Collaboration
The University Research Corridor (URC) is defined as an influential national academic research network dedicated to cultivating talent, advancing research, and spurring economic growth in Michigan. By enhancing regional life and advancing global knowledge, the URC is designed to attract high-tech businesses and prepare a skilled workforce, driving Michigan’s economic revitalization and shaping a dynamic future.
“[Michigan has] to be a talent magnet … to be a talent activator, and that means collectively these three great Research One universities,” Kevin Guskiewicz, Michigan State University’s president, said. “We bring incredible talent, unique talent on each of our campuses with world-class faculty and researchers … and we’re going to reimagine what the URC will be in the future and how it will help to drive the economy of Michigan and the region here.”
“The URC has been around for some time … and I’m very excited because I’d say this past year we have really rolled up our sleeves,” Santa J. Ono, the University of Michigan’s president, said. “We really want to be greater than the sum of our parts. … We all believe that we have a responsibility to the welfare of this city and this state … That’s what we owe the citizens of Michigan.”
“[The URC] takes advantage of Michigan’s natural assets, whether it’s the natural resources … the people of Michigan, the innovators, creators who have been such a part of our story here. But it’s also about our future.,” Kimberly Andrews Espy, Wayne State University’s president, said. “So, it’s growing Michigan together that really matters.”
How Businesses Can Help
All of the presidents agreed that it takes an entire ecosystem – including the business community – to make something like this work statewide. From academia to business, every kind of community is encouraged to come together through interdisciplinary collaborations and partnerships.
“When you think about the innovation ecosystem, small businesses go through a very predictable path: They have an idea, they need to incubate them, and then accelerate their growth,” Espy said. “I think there are opportunities for our city to be a little bit more intentional about … how to tailor some of our support and have incubators versus accelerators and the whole network to be able to grow that to a greater degree.”
“We’ve got to create the experiential education opportunities through internships … during their junior and senior years, where they want to stay and work in Michigan,” Guskiewicz added. “That’s how business communities here locally can help us create those opportunities, and [young talent will] want to stay.”
“Whether you’re a student or a business, for [the URC ecosystem] to work, you need to feel completely comfortable,” Ono said in closing. “My encouragement to all of you [is] don’t be shy, look to us. Look to the URC. We can be your competitive advantage, and with that, Michigan will rise.”