September 25, 2000
Academic collaboration formed to address Silicon Valley's education, economic needs
By Michael Mewhinney
NASA Ames Research Center
The University of California, Santa Cruz, San Jose State University, and the Foothill-De
Anza Community College District have formed the "Collaborative," an innovative
partnership to address Silicon Valley's critical education and workforce needs through
joint research and education programs to be located at the proposed NASA Research
Park at Moffett Field.
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| Joining Chancellor M.R.C. Greenwood at a news conference announcing the partnership were Robert Caret (also seated), president of San Jose State University; Leo Chavez (standing, right), chancellor of community college district; and NASA Ames Research Center Director Henry McDonald. Photo: Greg Pio |
"Our goal is to develop a world-class, shared-use R&D campus by partnering
with industry, academia, and nonprofits in the NASA Research Park," McDonald
said. "I am delighted that the NASA Research Park provided the impetus for a
number of our academic planning partners to form this unprecedented partnership for
education programs that will be conducted here."
"While Silicon Valley is recognized worldwide for its innovation, high technology,
and as a catalyst for change, the area also faces a critical shortage of teachers
and engineers," said Greenwood. "We wondered what public higher education
could accomplish if we focused our collective energy and resources on a shared solution.
By crossing traditional boundaries, our collaboration with San Jose State and Foothill-De
Anza will leverage our collective strength, provide innovative programs and services,
and produce results of value to Silicon Valley and the State of California."
"The NASA-Collaborative provides us with a unique opportunity to serve the needs
of this region together," said Caret. "Since each of our organizations
had signed separate planning agreements with NASA Ames for joint efforts in the NASA
Research Park, we decided that we could be a stronger force if we worked collectively
on the critical Silicon Valley needs. The NASA Research Park will provide the optimal
environment for collaboration. Through these collaborative programs, we look forward
to building a world-class facility that will house teaching, research, and economic
development programs for the Silicon Valley and the State of California."
"By working together, the Collaborative hopes to leverage its collective talent,
resources, and intellectual leadership to solve the valley's increasing demand for
education and workforce development," said Chavez. "In terms of work-force
preparation, higher education needs to go the extra mile to meet the needs of our
community, especially to prepare underrepresented groups and minorities for jobs
in the high-tech Silicon Valley."
"By collaborating with the best in higher education, other partners of the
NASA Research Park and NASA Ames' extensive resources, the Collaborative will offer
Silicon Valley a visionary opportunity for advancement," said Bernadine Chuck
Fong, president of Foothill College. "To make a difference in the lives of Silicon
Valley students historically underrepresented in higher education, De Anza College
is proud to partner with NASA, UCSC, SJSU, Foothill, and our local high schools to
provide new educational models to give our students the math, science and technology
skills they must have to be successful in our new economy," said Martha Kanter,
president of De Anza College.
"This is not business as usual. Over the last several months, we have crafted
a shared vision, strengthened our relationships and are now eager to roll up our
sleeves and do the hard work for the benefit of the region," Greenwood said.
Founded in 1965, the University of California Santa Cruz is developing its Silicon
Valley Center, which is expected to be located at the proposed NASA Research Park
at Moffett Field. The main campus is situated on 2,000 acres of redwood forest and
meadows, overlooking Monterey Bay. UC Santa Cruz also operates the Monterey Bay Education,
Science and Technology Center (MBEST) on 1,000 acres of the former Fort Ord in Monterey
County. Nationally recognized in astronomy/astrophysics, economics, and education
among other disciplines, UC Santa Cruz enrolls approximately 12,000 students who
study a variety of majors in natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, arts,
and humanities.
Founded in 1857, San Jose State University (SJSU) was the first public institution
of higher learning established on the West Coast. From its beginnings as a normal
school to train teachers for the developing frontier, SJSU has become Silicon Valley's
"Metropolitan University," with an enrollment of 27,000 students. Through
its eight colleges the university offers bachelorís and masterís degrees in 134 programs.
The university's College of Engineering is ranked as one of the nation's best. The
university's location in the Silicon Valley makes it an exceptionally rewarding learning
environment for students. Silicon Valley firms and agencies seek SJSU students for
internships, summer work programs, and for assistance with research projects.
The Foothill-De Anza Community College District was founded in 1957 to serve residents
of Cupertino, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Sunnyvale, and
portions of Santa Clara and San Jose. The district also serves as the primary high
school to community college link to the Fremont Union, Mountain View-Los Altos Union
and Palo Alto Unified high school districts. District officials say the challenge
of the 21st century includes the need to serve a growing and diverse student population.
Since 1957, Foothill-De Anza has responded to the needs of more than one million
students who have enrolled in its day, evening, off campus, and online courses. The
innovative workforce that has transformed the Silicon Valley is comprised of more
than 500,000 former Foothill-De Anza students.
NASA Ames Research Center recently announced the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
process under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations to develop
the land at Moffett Field under NASA ownership. The proposed developments include
the area called the NASA Research Park in which the academic, industry, and nonprofit
partners hope to conduct their research and education programs. NASA Ames has a vibrant
education outreach program, hosting many events onsite and delivering NASA education
materials to classrooms nationally. NASA plans to develop with these academic and
nonprofit partners a teacher institute, which will include teacher enhancement programs,
development of multimedia products for students and teachers, and host onsite and
internet-based education events. NASA Ames is partnering with organizations to conduct
research in astrobiology, nanotechnology, information technology, and other aerospace-related
research areas.
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