Strategy: Provide effective and active support for the economic development and quality of life in the region and state.
Point People: John Meyer and Nicole Biggart
Narrative Summary of Second year Implementation Efforts:
A partnership between UC Davis and the broader region was celebrated during the past year in response to a proposal that, in the end, was not successful. The campus participated in a regional proposal to host the state’s administrative headquarters for the Center for Regenerative Medicine in Sacramento. This unprecedented partnership involved the campus, the city of Sacramento, other communities within the region and the regional business community. This proposal was ranked very high and received much attention statewide. Ultimately, San Francisco was selected to host the administrative headquarters. However, the positive relationships that were established as part of this proposal’s development will live long. Our partners gained greater awareness of the capabilities of UC Davis and how it can positively influence economic development efforts.
Following this project, UC Davis joined the Partnership for Prosperity project. The purpose of this endeavor is to unite organizations and jurisdictions in the creation of a new, shared economic development strategy for the region. Implementation of this plan is designed to ensure a vibrant economic future for the Sacramento region in the coming decades. Chancellor Vanderhoef represents the campus on this important project.
The Office of Research continues to make progress with its Technology and Industry Alliances group providing services to both faculty and industry to assist with the development of mutually-beneficial relationships. The unit assists faculty with a variety of industry-related activities, including entrepreneurial endeavors; accesses the campus’s intellectual property resources; and assists with the development of private sector research collaborations.
The Graduate School of Management’s Big Bang competition continues to growth and thrive. The program is designed to promote entrepreneurship, innovation and hands-on learning while at the same time engaging regional leaders.
Advances and Ongoing Programs Consistent with Strategy:
- Sponsor and participant in the regional Partnership for Prosperity project (http://www.valleyvision.org/partnership/index.html)
- Established an Economic Development Work Group which meets monthly to coordinate campus economic development efforts. The group is coordinated by Vice Chancellors Klein and Meyer.
- Partnered with regional leaders in the development and submission if a proposal to host the state’s stem cell agency.
- Established a Consulting Center within the Graduate School of Management that offers for-profit companies the opportunity to have a team of UC Davis MBA students develop solutions to management problems. (http://www.gsm.ucdavis.edu/consulting)
- The Graduate School of Management, in collaboration with the Office of Research – Technology and Industry Alliances and with the support of several colleges and units, are offering two business development programs designed to introduce the most promising Ph.D. students and researchers to the principles and practices of entrepreneurship and new business development. One of the goals of the program is to spur the commercialization of intellectual property and research discoveries at the University. (http://www.gsm.ucdavis.edu/busdev)
Short Statement of Plans for 2005-06
- Coordinate efforts for decentralization of Technology Transfer function from the Office of the President to campuses
- Participate in development of final report for Partnership for Prosperity project
- Update campus Economic Impact Report which details the economic contributions of UC Davis to the region (http://www.news.ucdavis.edu/special_reports/economic_impact/)
- Continue efforts to develop the Office of Technology and Industry Alliances (http://research.ucdavis.edu/home.cfm?id=OVC,2)
- Complete business terms for development of research park