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Session 1408

Multi-Sector Alliance to Strengthen Biotechnology Programs in Response to Economic Development Based on High Tech

Rosa Buxeda, Lueny Morell, Jorge I. Vélez-Arocho, Alejandro Ruiz University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez/ William Lockwood-Benet/Lockwood Financial Advisors Corporation Manuel Hormaza/Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company

Abstract

Puerto Rico has the largest concentration of pharmaceutical industries in the world. A decade ago, the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez establish its undergraduate Industrial Biotechnology Program, to provide the human resources and skills needed for this kind of professional on the island. Currently, the program has 164 students (63% women) and graduated more than 36 professionals. Most recently, and in response to a multi-sector alliance created in Puerto Rico to help develop the island as a world class high tech center, known as the Puerto Rico TechnoEconomic Corridor (PRTEC), the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, is developing a PhD program in Biotechnology. PRTEC’s goals are to retain jobs, attract new high tech businesses to the island, while supporting the development of an R&D tradition and the development of an entrepreneurial culture at all levels.

This paper will describe the strategy to develop a Multi-Sector Alliance to Strengthen Biotechnology Programs in Response to Economic Development Based on High Tech that involves all stakeholders (government, academia and the private sector). At the undergraduate level, the goal of the biotech program is to prepare professionals capable of developing and advancing the biotechnology field contributing to the social-economical development of Puerto Rico. To achieve this goal its strategic plan focuses on 6 major tasks: curriculum, research, industry/government partnerships, dissemination and assessment. This unique and interdisciplinary program involves close collaboration with industrial partners, formal courses as well as research and industry experience. The PhD Program being developed also focuses on industrial partnerships as a key element with the development and the strengthening of four (4) Biotech Research Centers to capitalize and support technology and human capabilities needed by industry. The ultimate goal is the establishments of a worldwide known biotechnology clusters on the island and attract and retain new biotech entrepreneurs. The paper will address the integrated strategic plan (from undergraduate to graduate) as well as its assessment strategy to document outcomes, financing and barriers being addressed to achieve our goals.

Puerto Rico’s current economic situation

Puerto Rico has the largest concentration of pharmaceutical industries in the world as a result of the synergy between world-class managers, workforce and suppliers and preeminence as a global, tax-advantaged super-manufacturing center. The world’s leading pharmaceuticals and

Proceedings of the 2002 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright Ó 2002, American Society for Engineering Education

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Lockwood-Benet, W., & Buxeda, R., & Hormaza, M., & Ruiz Acevedo, A., & Vélez-Arocho, J., & Morell, L. (2002, June), Multi Sector Alliance To Strengthen Biotechnology Programs In Response To Economic Development Based On High Tech Paper presented at 2002 Annual Conference, Montreal, Canada. 10.18260/1-2--11322