The University as an Engine for Economic Growth - The University of ...

The Akron Model
With the principles of relevance, connectivity and
productivity serving as the foundation of the “Akron Model,”
The University of Akron employs two primary economic
development drivers as part of its overall strategy: the enhancement
of physical, economic and social infrastructure, and the
leveraging of resources through collaboration. In so doing,
the University has created a broad-based and robust platform
for revitalizing the Northeast Ohio economy.
The key components of the Akron Model are described on
the following pages. The Model is dynamic by design, adding
elements as opportunities arise, modifying existing ones in
anticipation of, or response to, evolving conditions. To consult this
ever-changing plan, visit us at www.uakron.edu/AkronModel.
Institutions that
embrace the guiding
principles of
relevance, connectivity
and productivity will
strengthen the
The Akron Model
Goes on the Road
As more institutions and
organizations learn of the
Akron Model, more requests
are received for details about its
components and design. Since
2010, Dr. Luis Proenza and other
senior administrators have been
invited to present the Akron
Model at numerous professional,
academic and government
gatherings. The following is just a
small sample of a much larger list:
• Washington D.C., June 10,
2010 U.S. House of Representatives
Subcommittee on Research
and Science Education.
• Washington D.C., Sept. 23,
2010 “Regional Innovation
Clusters: Advancing the Next
Economy,” public policy event,
sponsored by the Brookings
Institution, the Center for
American Progress, the Council
on Competitiveness and the
National Association of
Development Organizations.
• Columbus, Ohio, Sept. 26,
2010 “New Paradigms: The
Practice of Economic Development
in a Changed Landscape,”
2010 Annual Conference
of the International Economic
Development Council.
• Waikiki, Hawaii, Jan. 13,
2011 “E Kamakani Noi’I:
Wind That Seeks Knowledge”
symposium, sponsored by the
National Academy of Sciences
and University of Hawaii.
• Cleveland, April 25, 2011
“Building The Ohio Innovation
Economy” symposium,
sponsored by the National
Academy of Sciences, NorTech
and The University of Akron.
• Los Angeles, May 1-4, 2011
“Shaping the Future” Milken
Institute Global Conference
• Berlin, Germany, May 24-25,
2011 “Meeting Global Challenges:
German-U.S. Innovation Policy”
symposium, sponsored by the
German Institute for Economic
Development and the U.S.
National Academy of Sciences.
• Washington D.C., June 9, 2011
“The New Role of Universities
in the 21st Century: Universities
as Engines of Innovation and
Entrepreneurial Hubs” conference,
sponsored by the American
Institute for Contemporary
German Studies.
• Palm Springs, Calif.,
Aug. 1, 2011 DoD Corrosion
Conference 2011, sponsored by
the U.S. Department of Defense.
• Port of Spain, Trinidad,
Oct. 11-12, 2011 Regional
Seminar on Management of IP
and Innovation Clusters,
sponsored by World Intellectual
Property Organization.
economic vitality of
University of Akron
Research
Foundation
their communities and,
at the same time,
improve their own
long-term competitive
and comparative
Rii
advantages.
Corrosion
Engineering
Transportation
Federal
Government
New
Landscape
for Learning
Local
Government
Business
& Industry
Austen
BioInnovation
Institute
in Akron
Hospitals
Schools
Community
Regional
Innovation
Institute
University
Park
Alliance
Innovation
Alliance
NIHF-STEM
School
8 2010 - 2011 Report to the Community