International SEMATECH North Heads to UAlbany
The
University’s Center of Excellence in Nanoelectronics, established
to advance research and education in the emerging field of nanotechnology,
is the centerpiece of a broad vision, shared, nurtured and shaped by
many, that is transforming both UAlbany and the world beyond. The
power of that vision was dramatically highlighted on July 18 when New
York Gov. George Pataki announced that International SEMATECH, a consortium
of the 12 major computer-chip manufacturers in the world, was establishing
a new research and development center at UAlbany’s Center of Excellence. The
new center, International SEMATECH North, will help develop emerging
semiconductor technologies for making the chips of the future with their
ever-tinier transistors and nanoscale features. In late 2002, SEMATECH
was to begin moving 50 scientists and technicians into the University’s
new “technology accelerator,” located adjacent to the Center
for Environmental Sciences and Technology Management (CESTM) which opened
in 1997. The Center could involve up to 250 scientists, technicians
and researchers when it is in full operation
The
agreement between New York State and International SEMATECH includes
approximately $400 million in state and industry support for the new
center over the next five years. The support consists of a $320 million
operating budget, $33 million for construction, and $47 million in facilities
support. Partnerships
and interdisciplinary collaborations have been the keys to success in
building UAlbany’s programs in nanosciences, nanoelectronics and
nanotechnology, and the SEMATECH announcement was recognition of the
great value of both the approach and the programs in advancing critical
fundamental knowledge, as well as future semiconductor technologies.
These research programs, carried out by faculty from across UAlbany’s
science departments in collaboration with faculty from other institutions
and industry scientists, provide unparalleled opportunities for students
at all levels and particularly for the new School of NanoSciences and
NanoEngineering. The new physical and intellectual resources are creating a unique environment for discovery and education that is advancing UAlbany’s strategic goals. September 11: Responding to Changed Priorities
In
the post-September 11 world, the University is putting its expertise
to work to address issues of security and preparedness while continuing
to advance understanding of the forces shaping societies around the
globe. The
day after, faculty began the process of reflecting on and discussing
the horrific events of September 11 through a series of fora, and that
process continued throughout the following year in courses, as well
as other panel discussions. In
February 2002, the federal government designated UAlbany’s School
of Public Health a regional Center for Public Health Preparedness, one
of 15 nationwide. UAlbany’s $1 million award will be used to boost
the area’s public health infrastructure and provide training for
the public health workforce to deal with health catastrophes. The
University’s Center for Technology in Government (CTG) is studying
the long-term effects of the World Trade Center response on government
operations. CTG is researching what government agencies did during the
WTC crisis, and examining the role information technology played in
response to those events. The study by CTG and project partner Urban
Logic, Inc., funded by a $100,000 Digital Government grant from the
National Science Foundation, is expected to provide lessons for improving
crisis response and emergency management and planning. The
University’s Institute for Informatics, Logics, and Security Studies,
with funding from the U.S. government and the European Commission, is
developing advanced information-retrieval systems to help protect against
terrorism. Software developed at the Institute will allow intelligence
analysts to quickly sift through an enormous number of news and field
reports, enabling them to better comprehend terrorist behavior and develop
effective counter-measures. Working
hand-in-hand with computer crime experts at the New York State Police
and the New York State Office for Technology, a group of faculty from
the Computer Science department, the School of Business, the School
of Education, and the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning
has received two federal grants to develop new models for education
in cybersecurity and computer forensics. Meanwhile, stepped-up security measures have been put in place on the UAlbany campus, and the University Police Department (UPD) has joined the Capital District Violent Crime Fugitive Task Force, the attorney general’s anti-terrorism regional task force. UPD has also enrolled in the Awareness of National Security Issues and Response (ANSIR), the FBI’s e-mail distribution list for terrorist attacks, warnings, and relevant information. Celebrating and Reaching Out to Diverse Communities
UAlbany,
through its programs of teaching and research, is deeply engaged with
diverse communities as colleagues and partners, and the span of outreach
activities reflects the needs and challenges of a world under transformation.
One
major focus of efforts across the University is identifying and supporting
ways communities can help older citizens enjoy the highest possible
quality of life. UAlbany’s
School of Social Welfare and its Center for Excellence in Aging Services
are leading efforts that focus on the feasibility and desirability of
“aging-prepared” communities. With funding from the John A.
Hartford Foundation, they have begun a planning process to identify
low-cost initiatives that will sustain aging persons living in the Capital
Region community, create new ways for agencies to work together, and
benefit from the contributions of aging persons themselves. Pilot projects
will be designed to create replicable and sustainable national models
for greater aging-prepared approaches to a better community life for
all. In
addition, the Center is actively addressing the crisis in aging services
resulting from a combination of increasingly complex health and care
needs and workforce issues. Through software development, digital production/projection
systems, high technology web-conferencing, and computer and satellite-mediated
instruction, UAlbany is creating first-class off-site gerontological
training. Older
adults are also the focus of another effort. Over the past year, UAlbany
became the first university to sponsor a chapter of OASIS (Older Adult
Services and Information Systems). Founded in St. Louis, Mo., in 1982,
OASIS is a national organization that encourages adults aged 50 and
over to continue their personal growth and community service by participating
in programs in the arts, humanities, technology, health, wellness, and
volunteer service. UAlbany’s involvement allows Albany OASIS to
provide a bridge between its members and the University’s resources.
Faculty and staff have offered classes on a variety of topics; classes
do not carry academic credit and can range in duration from one to several
days. Through
a wide range of other partnerships, as well, the University is working
to address the needs of the region’s communities at many levels.
One of the most far-reaching collaborative efforts is the work of the
Business-Higher Education Roundtable of the Capital Region, co-convened
by President Hitchcock and MapInfo Chairman Michael Marvin. The group
was created to support the region’s economic growth and quality
of life, with special emphasis on the role of higher education working
with business. The Roundtable’s thirteen colleges and universities
and twelve business CEOs have developed initiatives to improve business
access to academic expertise; to encourage more college graduates to
work in the area; to build the region’s reputation as a desirable
place in which to live, work, and grow a business; and to assess long-term
transportation and infrastructure needs. The full range of UAlbany’s outreach is detailed in an inventory now available at www.albany.edu/outreach.
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