93-01-12 Technology Transfer Theme of High-Level Conference

TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER THEME OF HIGH-LEVEL CONFERENCE

       CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Jan. 12 -- A group of prominent Virginia
scientists, business leaders, and elected officials will gather at
the University of Virginia on Friday, Jan. 21, for a day-long
conference seeking better ways to transfer academic research and
new technology into the commercial realm.
       Among those speaking at the event will be U.S. Sen. Charles
Robb, National Science Foundation Director Neal Lane, U.Va.
President John T. Casteen III, Virginia Commonwealth University
President Eugene P. Trani, and former Gov. Linwood Holton, director
of the state's Center for Innovative Technology.
       The conference, New Alliances for Economic Development, is
being convened in response to the U.S. House of Representatives
Committee on Science, Space and Technology, which last summer urged
the country's universities to aggressively seek new approaches to
technology transfer.
       "Virginia's colleges and universities are at the center of
innovative thought," said Senator Robb.  "The concepts and designs
originated on our campuses have practical applications that can
help our economy grow and prosper."
       "This conference will strengthen the ties between the
Commonwealth's academic and business communities.  Working
together, these institutions can insure that America's
technological base will remain its greatest asset," Robb added.
       The morning program is open to the public and begins at 9:30
a.m. in U.Va.'s Caplin Auditorium at the School of Law.
       A series of workshops in the afternoon will bring together a
select group of senior-level scientists, policy-makers, and
business leaders to propose concrete recommendations about the best
ways to bring about technology-transfer in current economic
conditions.  Among the topics to be addressed is the role
biomedical and other advanced technologies might play in the
state's move away from defense industry employment.
       "Today, communication and knowledge fuel our economy as
natural resources and machinery did in the past," says Gene Block,
U.Va. vice provost for research and a conference organizer.  "The
interdependence of education, industry, and government demands a
coordinated response to the economic challenges that face us. 
Virginia must create new ways of organizing our resources and
championing our talents.  I am confident that these workshops will
make substantial contributions towards this goal."

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January 11, 1994

       REPORTERS AND EDITORS:  Attached is a conference schedule.  If
you would like to attend part or all of the conference -- or if you
would like a press packet in advance of the conference -- please
contact the University News Office at (804) 924-7116.  We can also
provide a list of confirmed conference participants from your
region.  Television and radio reporters requiring technical support
should contact the U.Va. television services offices at (804) 924-
7550. 
The following conference participants could provide interviews.

       Gene Block, Ph.D.
       Vice Provost for Research, University of Virginia
       (804) 924-3606
       Topic:  university-industry partnerships from research
scientist perspective

       William Wulf, Ph.D.
       AT&T Professor of Engineering, U.Va.
       (804) 982-2223
       Topic:  computer sciences, high-speed information transfers

       Kay Kemper, Vice President for University Relations
       Old Dominion University
       (804) 683-3159
       Topic:  regional economic development

       Peter Fitzpatrick
       Special Counsel for Defense Conversion
       Center for Innovative Technology
       (703) 689-3057
       Topic: strategies for defense conversion

 
Karen Castle, Office Services Specialist, University News Office
P.O. Box 9018, Booker House, Charlottesville, VA  22906
(804) 924-7116, kac@virginia.edu

[Submitted by: Karen A. Castle  (kac@uva.pcmail.virginia.edu)
               Wed, 12 Jan 94 09:10:51 EST]