University of Nebraska System President Ted Carter has joined the , a national coalition of business, education and industry leaders who work together to champion a bipartisan agenda for innovation and economic growth.
The invite-only group met this month at Gallup’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., for presentations from leaders from the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Commerce and discussions on innovation, technology and sustainability.
Council members are particularly interested in the areas of agriculture, water and food security as they build an innovation agenda – an opportunity, Carter said, for Nebraska to showcase its deep expertise and leadership on a national stage.
“Nebraska is in a position of strength, and people are paying attention,” Carter said. “Our nation’s leaders across the public and private sectors recognize that our future prosperity depends in part on the continued success of agriculture. No one is better positioned to deliver solutions for ensuring a water- and food-secure world than Nebraska.
“I’m honored to join this group of big thinkers who share Nebraska’s goal of creating economic growth for future generations. This is a fantastic opportunity to share ideas and tell Nebraska’s story with some of the best in the business.”
As a university representative, Carter will be part of the council’s , which focuses on the vital role that higher education plays in economic growth and competitiveness. The group champions quality education in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields and the arts, university-industry-government partnerships, and investment in research that leads to new technologies and jobs.
“These are challenging economic times, but the United States continues to lead the world in innovation. We need to be proactive and unafraid to think differently in order to maintain our competitive advantage,” Carter said. “America’s universities – powerful engines for talent and groundbreaking research – are a crucial part of the solution. I look forward to being part of this group’s work in shaping a national agenda for growth.”
Founded in 1986, the Council on Competitiveness counts some of the country’s preeminent business and university leaders among its members. It advocates for policies and practices that support research, technology transfer and workforce development to maintain the United States’ leadership role in the global economy. The Council is currently chaired by Brian Moynihan, chairman and CEO of Bank of America.