The Academy of Medicine, Engineering and Science of Texas (TAMEST) will hold a Forum on The Research Mission of Universities today (May 19) from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Avaya Auditorium in the ACES Building at The University of Texas at Austin.
The forum will explore the significance of scientific research in our public universities and the wide-ranging impact it has on industry, the economy and our society.
The program will include remarks by prominent Texas research and industry leaders, including David G. Booth, chairman and co-chief executive officer of Dimensional Fund Advisors; Ray M. Bowen, chairman of the National Science Board and former president of Texas AandM University; Michael S. Brown, Nobel Laureate and Regental Professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center; David E. Daniel, president of UT Dallas and former TAMEST president; J. Tinsley Oden, associate vice president for research and director of the Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin and former TAMEST president; and Rex W. Tillerson, chairman and chief executive officer of Exxon Mobil Corporation. A panel discussion will be moderated by Larry Faulkner, president of the Houston Endowment and former president of The University of Texas at Austin.
Panelists will address important issues related to scientific research, including:
- The economic and societal value of actual research results.
- The impact of research as a catalyst for new economic development.
- The role of leading universities in basic scientific, engineering and health care research in the United States compared to other countries.
- How the collective university research enterprise meshes with the technical needs of business and industry.
- The national resource represented by knowledgeable experts housed in research universities.
“There is much public discussion about how research fits into the work of universities and how university-based research serves national needs,” Faulkner said. “TAMEST has brought together a sterling panel from business and industry and from medicine, engineering and science to outline and critique the important facets of the research mission of universities.”
TAMEST brings together nationally renowned researchers and leaders from industry, academia and the philanthropic community in support of its mission to secure the future of Texas as a national leader in science and technology. TAMEST’s 16 member institutions collaborate with industry leaders to develop innovative solutions to issues of critical importance to Texas and the nation. These partnerships extend to federal funding agencies such as the National Science Foundation and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.
“TAMEST was founded to bring together the leading engineers, scientists and healthcare professionals in Texas to promote and coordinate research and technological innovation in order to ensure that Texas and the nation remain globally competitive,” said Stephen A. Holditch, TAMEST’s president. “Without question, the combination of research and excellence in teaching are complementary, and must be balanced to provide a superior education at our universities.”
About TAMEST
The Academy of Medicine, Engineering and Science of Texas was founded in 2004 to provide broader recognition of the state’s top achievers in medicine, engineering and science, and to build a stronger identity for Texas as an important destination and center of achievement in these fields. Members include Texas’ Nobel Laureates and more than 240 National Academies members.