In a presentation to the Utah Board of High Education, University of Utah President Taylor Randall emphasized the substantial role that research faculties play in society. "When you invest in research faculty, this is what you are investing in," stated Randall, as obtained by the University of Utah, pointing out their contributions which include the creation of human capital, bolstering national competitiveness, and driving economic growth. Narrative joined forces with Utah State University President Elizabeth Cantwell on Nov. 21, 2024, advocating for not just the support of research but for the establishment of collaborative, long-term research goals within the state.
Both university leaders, representing Utah's duo of R1 institutions underlined the significance of aligning the state's economic development policy with industrial and research strategies. Randall mentioned, as obtained by the University of Utah, the necessity of planning beyond the traditional two-to-three-year horizon. "If you want to shape the arc of technology, you have to look out probably 20 years and say, ‘Where do we think things are going and how do we align our research?’
Another critical aspect highlighted by the presidents is the potential for innovation in life sciences, a field where Utah is poised to lead. "The complementary nature of animal and human research is enormous," Randall said, as per the University of Utah, suggesting that a combined effort in life sciences could significantly expedite the development of drugs and other innovations. Further explanation on turning Utah into a national innovation hub can be found by reading more about their views on the strategic partnership between the U and USU.
