- What do the first skin-grafting device for burn treatments,
pest-resistant wheat and techniques to prevent icing on aircraft
wings have in common?
Kansas research universities gave rise to them all.
And, if Kansans have their way, such research efforts will receive
better funding at the state and federal level.
In a nearly unanimous show of support, 96 percent of Kansans
surveyed said it is important for the state to support research
at the three research universities - KU, Kansas State University
and Wichita State University.
The survey also reported 93 percent of respondents favor using
state funds for university science and engineering programs.
The statewide survey of 800 residents in 97 counties was conducted
by Research America, a national alliance of health and science
organizations based in Alexandria, Va.
Leaders of the state's three research universities recently joined
U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., in unveiling the Research America
survey results.
Roberts said the landmark survey revealed "strong Kansas
grassroots support for research." He cited survey figures
that 68 percent of Kansans favor doubling state funding for science
and engineering research over the next 10 years and 65 percent
favor doubling federal funding for health research over the next
five years. In addition, more than 80 percent favor using state
lottery funds to support university research and engineering
programs.
"The survey results clearly show that the people of Kansas
are committed to supporting and advancing research initiatives
at the state's research universities," said Robert E. Hemenway,
KU chancellor. "They understand that university research
not only produces more jobs for the state but also leads to improvements
in the quality of life for everyone."
The U.S. Department of Commerce estimates that about 41 jobs
are created in the Kansas economy for every $1 million in research
and development expenditures at the universities. According to
the most recent tally of the three institutions, combined research
expenditures in fiscal year 1997 totaled $236 million and generated
more than 9,600 jobs throughout the state.
To develop research initiatives, the three universities are creating
a network of collaborative relationships, not only with each
other but also with regional institutions such as the Stowers
Institute in Kansas City, Mo., and the Boeing Company in Wichita,
among others.
Through Roberts' Science and Technology for the Future Committee,
the Kansas Technology Enterprise Corp. and the research universities
have targeted strategic initiatives in key areas: agricultural
biotechnology, aviation, human biosciences and information technology.
"Working together, the research universities have cultivated
a number of significant research projects important to the citizens
of Kansas, to the state's economy and to the quality of life
of our state," said Jon Wefald, Kansas State president.
"We will continue to work on this important collaboration
because it helps provide an attitude of mutual respect, trust
and cooperation."
Currently, the annual income for alumni of the three research
universities is $9 billion and the state tax paid by these graduates
totals $700 million annually, according to Robert Barnhill, KU
vice chancellor for research and public service.
|
|
