Leading the state's economic transition: as never before, North Carolina's colleges and universities are viewed as major economic resources.

• Position: University of North Carolina

As North Carolina makes the transition to a global, knowledge-based economy, sustained partnerships among business, higher education and government are critical to our success. As never before, the state's colleges and universities are being viewed as major economic resources, and recognition is growing that the 16-campus University of North Carolina, through its collective expertise and know-how, can help lead and support this transition.

The shifting economy has heightened the importance of the University's mission of teaching, research and outreach. In its growing role in economic development, UNC is building on a strong record of service and support for communities and entrepreneurs across the state. In collaboration with business and state government, UNC is educating the state's work force for high-skill jobs; creating and transferring new knowledge and ideas to stimulate development; and fostering a climate for innovation.

North Carolina is undergoing a fundamental shift from a manufacturing economy to a knowledge-based economy. To compete, workers need increased access to university-level education. UNC is making its curriculum more nimble and responsive to these needs and taking full advantage of emerging technologies. Last fall, more than 14,500 students--most of them over age 25--enrolled in UNC courses taught at a distance. Task forces of the UNC Board of Governors are addressing state work-force shortages in high-need areas, including nursing and allied health, as well as emerging biotechnology fields.

Nationally, companies that are relocating cite finding trained workers as their top reason for moving, and UNC is responding to this need, especially in science and engineering. N.C. A & T State University, for example, graduates more African-American engineers than any other U.S. institution. Campuses as diverse as Winston-Salem State University and East Carolina University are renewing emphasis on producing allied-health professionals. Several UNC campuses have established joint degree programs in key engineering fields.

To accommodate this growing enrollment and to meet future skill needs, the University is investing $2.5 billion in capital renewal through the 2000 Higher Education Bond Program. More than one-third of this investment is earmarked for new science, engineering and other research facilities. In addition to providing new opportunities for teaching, research and outreach, this capital construction will generate...