Skorton applauds Cuomo's inclusion of higher education in economic development plans

Cornell President David J. Skorton applauded and congratulated New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who, in his State of the State Address Jan. 5, emphasized the need to take advantage of the state's numerous higher education institutions in improving and diversifying the state's economy.

In his speech, Cuomo charged Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy with creating regional councils to plan and implement economic development appropriate to the resources and needs of each region; and said helping to commercialize the research conducted by their local colleges and universities needs to be a major part of each council's work.

Skorton, who chaired Gov. David Paterson's Task Force on Diversifying the New York State Economy through Industry-Higher Education Partnerships, said: "We are pleased -- and encouraged -- by Gov. Cuomo's comments about the role of higher education in the economic development of our state. New York has a broad array of high-quality institutions of higher education. These colleges and universities, natural centers for innovation, improve our understanding of our world and train the students, researchers and entrepreneurs who shape the future of the Empire State and the nation. As president of the state's land-grant university, I look forward to working with Gov. Cuomo, Lt. Gov. Duffy and the members of the Legislature to strengthen partnerships with industry to increase innovation, develop new firms and products, and compete even more successfully to attract federal research dollars to New York's institutions of higher education."

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Claudia Wheatley