Brainpower: Universities hold key to success in knowledge economy

HUNTSVILLE — The overarching mission of institutions of higher learning is summed up with three words – education, research and service.

The education mission of Tennessee Valley universities is outstanding with robust academic programs and highly motivated faculty and students. The research enterprise of Valley’s universities is nationally prominent and growing stronger. It’s that third mission — service — that will validate exceptional universities.

The ability of the college campuses across the Valley to leverage its education and research assets into a leading role for the region’s economic development future. That is what will allow these institutions to provide its greatest value to North Alabama and the state of Alabama at large. In an economy based on brainpower rather than natural resources, universities hold the key to success.

Advanced economies have been moving towards knowledge-based technologies that rely heavily on a highly educated workforce. As such, it is intellectual development. Numerous academicians have called this role for universities as an open doorway for economic development opportunities policies for Alabama.

Many universities are no stranger to that role and has long been active in supporting the local chambers in helping to attract new business and industry. Most recently momentum is picking up to strengthen and expand university’s role for commercializing that knowledge, as well as to encourage startups and boost job creation.

What we can do is offer evidence of workforce development that we have the specific types of laboratories, equipment and technical expertise that is of value to the specific business or industry, and we can offer to partner with the company and offer certain economic incentives for locating here.

Valley universities can offer businesses the human capital, scientific innovation, working partnership opportunities with faculty along with and lower expenses because in an academic partnership the university picks up some of those costs 

The universities have been an incentive to attract commerce to the region, working with state and local government, chambers of commerce and private companies. There have been success stories throughout the years. 

While UAH is a draw for luring companies to the greater Huntsville-Madison County area, there are other universities that can also offer an impact to their communities, such as Athens State University, Alabama A&M, and the University of North Alabama.

In terms of a local, advanced workforce, these institutions of higher learning are at the center of the Valley’s intellectual development, graduating thousands of students annually.

As a workforce educator and technology generator, these universities are an economic magnet that can be at the heart of innovations and entrepreneurism, which also boosts job creation and creates wealth. 

Valley students study such diverse subjects as nursing, business, the liberal arts in addition to the sciences and engineering. These students develop inquisitive minds by design and carry on their discovery quest after they graduate.

Brainpower, and the knowledge that flows through the university campuses in Huntsville, Athens and the Shoals Area, is a key factor in the economic success of a community, region and state. Exploiting higher education assets has been and remains part of a powerful economic model for the Valley’s government agencies and corporations.