Technology center proposed for UWGB
Kimberley Schmitt
Issue date: 10/1/09 Section: News
UW-Green Bay may have the opportunity to incorporate an innovative product-from-waste technology center that would connect students and local businesses through research.
The UW System created a Research to Jobs Task Force last February which produced several ideas regarding the creation of possible technology centers.
Within each university, the campus would have a different focus for their center. They range from research areas such as an interactive media and distance learning center, located at UW-Whitewater, to medicinal plants and fungi center at UW-La Crosse.
In a letter addressed to Regents, UW System President Kevin Reilly said the task force recommendations can be tied to four areas. One area relates to attracting and developing talent fueled by innovation.
"It is important to create an entrepreneurial culture where people throughout the state can contribute a better economic future for Wisconsin," Reilly said.
Annette Pelegrin, a graduate student of environmental science and policy in resource management, believes the proposed center would be beneficial to students in a variety of ways.
"The center would be a great way for students to learn how to work with companies, engineers, sales representatives and customers," Pelegrin said.
John Katers, associate professor of natural and applied sciences, is in full support of the proposed product-from-waste center.
The technology center is in its preliminary stages.
"I am very excited to see where it will go," Katers said.
Discussion at UWGB began 18 months ago with Interim Chancellor Dave Ward and others on campus.
"There are a lot of these types of materials generated in Northeast Wisconsin, and given some of the faculty expertise on those issues, this was what was selected as the focus for UWGB," Katers said. "Each campus chose to address the strengths they already had."
Katers also believes that the center would bring in more grants and opportunities for students.
The UW System created a Research to Jobs Task Force last February which produced several ideas regarding the creation of possible technology centers.
Within each university, the campus would have a different focus for their center. They range from research areas such as an interactive media and distance learning center, located at UW-Whitewater, to medicinal plants and fungi center at UW-La Crosse.
In a letter addressed to Regents, UW System President Kevin Reilly said the task force recommendations can be tied to four areas. One area relates to attracting and developing talent fueled by innovation.
"It is important to create an entrepreneurial culture where people throughout the state can contribute a better economic future for Wisconsin," Reilly said.
Annette Pelegrin, a graduate student of environmental science and policy in resource management, believes the proposed center would be beneficial to students in a variety of ways.
"The center would be a great way for students to learn how to work with companies, engineers, sales representatives and customers," Pelegrin said.
John Katers, associate professor of natural and applied sciences, is in full support of the proposed product-from-waste center.
The technology center is in its preliminary stages.
"I am very excited to see where it will go," Katers said.
Discussion at UWGB began 18 months ago with Interim Chancellor Dave Ward and others on campus.
"There are a lot of these types of materials generated in Northeast Wisconsin, and given some of the faculty expertise on those issues, this was what was selected as the focus for UWGB," Katers said. "Each campus chose to address the strengths they already had."
Katers also believes that the center would bring in more grants and opportunities for students.
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