Purdue looks to Indianapolis for input on university's future

Communication and a shared vision are key to any successful partnership, like the alliance between Purdue and Indianapolis. I recently met with Indianapolis leaders to solicit ideas for the next iteration of Purdue's strategic plan. I also received feedback on how the university is doing in its efforts to help Indianapolis remain competitive in the global marketplace and improve K-12 education. I learned that Indianapolis places high value on many of Purdue's initiatives.

Indianapolis business people, for example, tell me they especially appreciate Purdue's Technical Assistance Program. Since 1986, the program has collaborated on 6,100 different projects with Indiana companies, such as Indianapolis-based Estes Design and Manufacturing, which produces sheet metal parts. TAP has worked with Estes to ensure that its advanced processing capabilities are cost-effective while using the latest technology.

This outreach to Indiana companies is paying great dividends. Since TAP's inception in 1986, the companies it has served credit it with creating or preserving more than 4,200 Indiana jobs while also increasing productivity. Companies that hired TAP in 2005-06 reported an average savings and income benefit of $488,000.

The Indianapolis health-care sector not only has endorsed our efforts but also has invested in them. During my visit, I announced that the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation, which is affiliated with health-insurance provider WellPoint in Indianapolis, is forming a $1 million partnership with Purdue's Regenstrief Center for Healthcare Engineering to apply engineering principles to improve the delivery of health care. Purdue is working hand-in-hand with hospitals such as Wishard to control costs, improve service and redesign health-care delivery.

Just as economic development is emerging as a critical component of the university's new strategic plan, so is K-12 outreach. One initiative that is making an important difference is the Science Bound program, which is a partnership among Purdue, the Indianapolis Public Schools, the Indianapolis business community and foundations. Science Bound provides eligible students an opportunity to earn a four-year tuition scholarship to Purdue to study in a science-related field.

Since beginning with 60 middle school students, Science Bound has grown to more than 250 students who participate in science-related after-school activities, field trips and summer camps to enrich their academic experience. Next fall, Purdue will celebrate the arrival of the first Science Bound class to enroll at the university. Approximately 15 of these students will graduate from IPS high schools in the spring with full scholarships to Purdue. These are students who otherwise might not have had an opportunity to pursue higher education, and their lives will be transformed.

In addition to preparing Indianapolis Public School students for academic careers at our West Lafayette campus, Purdue works with Indiana University to administer Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis, through which 4,211 students are enrolled in Purdue programs. A Statewide Technology program in Indianapolis also offers degrees from Purdue's College of Technology in fields such as aviation management, air traffic control and aeronautical technology.

While all of these programs illustrate our valuable partnerships with the business and educational sectors of Indianapolis, it is time to consider what goals to set for the future. I ask Indianapolis residents to consider five questions:

• How has Purdue benefited Indianapolis, and what needs might be unmet?

• How can the university partner at the county level to accomplish even more?

• What do businesses, citizens and young people in Indianapolis need from a major research university?

• What does Purdue need from Indianapolis to help it accomplish mutual goals?

• How can Purdue improve its learning environment to better prepare students for the future?

Ideas can be submitted to Purdue's strategic plan Web site.

Meanwhile, Purdue pledges to continue to use its resources to serve Indianapolis. We look forward to developing even more partnerships while we fulfill our land-grant mission.

Martin C. Jischke, who came to Purdue in August 2000, is the university's 10th president. He and other university officials recently visited Indianapolis to collaborate on the strategic plan with business and community leaders.

To the News Service home page