Statewide issues concerning what citizens want for Arizona\u2019s future and the state\u2019s progress in developing a bioscience industry were brought into focus in two forums on campus the week of Jan. 11.<\/p>\n
Despite a suffering economy, Arizona\u2019s bioscience sector has seen rapid growth in high-paying jobs and firms, according to Walter Plosila of the Battelle Technology Partnership Practice, the nonprofit technology management firm that has been assessing Arizona\u2019s bioscience progress since 2002.<\/p>\n
On the down side, Arizona reflected the national trend in fewer federal research grants and venture-capital investments, Plosila told a gathering of university and community members at the High Country Conference Center, which was hosted by the Flinn Foundation.<\/p>\n
Arizona\u2019s job growth in the biosciences outpaced the nation\u201431 percent compared to 12 percent. The average salary of bioscience jobs in Arizona reached $55,749 in 2008. Arizona\u2019s bioscience sector also generates more than $765 million in state and local tax revenues. However, venture capital investments in bioscience firms are down about $49 million from 2008 to 2009.<\/p>\n
The state\u2019s budget crisis presents a challenge, Plosila noted, as public investment in research and education programs is threatened.<\/p>\n
\u201cNAU has been a leader in science education,\u201d he said, but added, \u201cwe need to have money for higher education research.\u201d<\/p>\n
Acknowledging the impact of the bioscience industry for Arizona, NAU President\u00a0John Haeger<\/strong>\u00a0said, \u201cWhile it\u2019s kind of grim right now, there is a future for this state and this economy.\u201d<\/p>\n The resulting \u201cArizona We Want\u201d report found that:<\/p>\n The report cites the need to graduate high school students who are career- and college-ready and to raise academic standards to national and international standards.<\/p>\n During a panel discussion following Coor\u2019s presentation, Haeger commended the report for its fact-based analysis because, he said, \u201cMuch of the debate in Arizona is based on wrongly held beliefs or ideologies.\u201d Haeger added, \u201cWe need to find a leadership group to act with courage.\u201d<\/p>\n Additionally, Haeger told the group, \u201cWe have to educate people for 21st century jobs. It\u2019s a call to be more thoughtful about (academic) programming.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe Arizona We Want\u201d report is available at\u00a0www.thearizonawewant.org<\/a>. Visitors to the web site may also take the Gallup Arizona Poll online and compare their responses to those of other citizens.<\/p>\n The forum with Coor was sponsored by the Flagstaff Forty, NAU, city of Flagstaff, Coconino County, Flagstaff Unified School District and Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\n\n
\n ![\"foreman2050\"](\"http:\/\/stage.headlessnauedu-b6hgdzckfdgxgzhe.westus-01.azurewebsites.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/foreman2050-300x186.jpg\")
\nLattie Coor (standing), founder of the Center for the Future of Arizona, leads a panel discussion with (from left) NAU President John Haeger, Flagstaff City Manager Kevin Burke, and J.R. Murray, chair of the Flagstaff Forty and general manager of the Snowbowl. Photo by Jerry Foreman<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n
\non a range of issues.<\/li>\n
\nelected leaders.<\/li>\n
\ngraduates looking to enter the job market.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n