Arkansas Research Alliance seeks to accelerate change

University-based research is one of the keys to bringing 21st century jobs to this state, according to the Arkansas Research Alliance.

Jerry Adams of Conway is president and chief executive officer of ARA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating economic development and cultivating a vibrant knowledge-based economy in Arkansas, according to a press release.

In a knowledge-based economy, Adams said, workers are wanted for "what people know, not what they can lift."

A report from Accelerate Arkansas, a statewide group of leaders who have volunteered their time to focus on how to move Arkansas into the 21st century economy, indicates the state's per capita income has been stuck at 78 percent of the national average since 1978. The goal of Accelerate Arkansas is to position the state in such a way to increase its per capita income to the U.S. average by 2020, the report says.

Gov. Mike Beebe said in a press release, "Research is a cornerstone on which we can build Arkansas' future in the knowledge-driven economy of the 21st century. Innovation and education will develop high-paying, technology-based jobs at home while also attracting existing high-tech companies to our state. It is through groups like the Arkansas Research Alliance that we will find the most effective routes to further success and prosperity."

Adams said the economic vitality of Arkansas is made up of existing businesses and new businesses. New businesses come from ideas that are generated by either individuals or universities. The Arkansas Research Alliance is focusing on how universities can participate in the process of generating new ideas.

Adams said ARA commissioned Battelle, a $4 billion research company, to do an independent study on the core research competencies that have potential for creating jobs and to identify areas that have potential to incubate and launch businesses.

"We're trying to have more of a state perspective on university research than a campus perspective. Sometimes there's competition between schools. We're trying to stress multi-campus collaboration," Adams said.

The five research universities that have been identified are University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, Arkansas State University, University of Arkansas at Little Rock and University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

Adams said the ARA is modeled after the Georgia Research Alliance, which has been highly successful in that state.

Also, according to the press release, "With research programs and strategic focus areas identified, Arkansas research universities will participate in pinpointing respected and esteemed candidates to participate in ARA's Eminent Scholars Program. Candidates for eminent scholars will be experts in their respective fields and will be recognized as thought leaders with world-class research credentials and an entrepreneurial record. They will oversee multi-campus research in strategic focus areas with the highest probability for job creation."

Adams said the Georgia Research Alliance has recruited 60 eminent scholars to its program, resulting in the creation of 125 companies and 7,000 high-paying jobs.

"They also created a culture of collaboration in their universities. If we apply this to Arkansas, it's getting organized in a way we've never been before," he said. "The goal is to get a continuum of eminent scholars with a history of research that has job-creating capability."

Adams said in a press release, "By recruiting talent to Arkansas, we will be increasing our intellectual capital and expanding our ability to harness research and commercialize business. We recognize that developing a knowledge-based economy in Arkansas is a long-term goal, and one that requires focus and leadership. Under the direction of our board of trustees, the ARA is uniquely positioned to create new jobs and opportunities that will improve the quality of life for Arkansans."

The ARA is governed by a board of trustees comprised of chancellors from Arkansas research universities and CEOs from across the state.

Adams said the ARA is also trying to increase federal research funding.

"Arkansas gets $1 for every $5,000 of federal research funding," he said. "Last year Arkansas got approximately $240 million in federal research funding through various campuses in Arkansas. (Compared to other states), that is under-funded by $100 million. Our goal is to get the federal funding in Arkansas substantially increased, and it's only going to happen through collaboration."

The Legislature approved startup funding for the ARA in 2007. Adams said the ARA will ask for $10 million for the next biennium for the eminent scholar program.

(Staff writer Rachel Parker Dickerson can be reached by e-mail at rachel.dickerson@thecabin.net or by phone at 505-1277. Send us your news at www.thecabin.net/submit)