Frank discussions about how to equip students for the jobs of today and tomorrow, technology commercialization efforts and some of the 鈥渂ig questions鈥 that face the region鈥檚 innovation outlook were the hot topics as 麻豆影院 State hosted Innovation Day 2023 on Friday, March 24.
The inaugural Innovation Day was a collaborative effort of the Northeast Ohio Public University Research Alliance, comprised of 麻豆影院, Cleveland State University, Northeast Ohio Medical University, The University of Akron and Youngstown State University.
A key goal of the alliance is to grow research in the region, bringing faculty from different disciplines and institutions together, says Doug Delahanty, PhD, vice president for Research and Sponsored Programs at 麻豆影院 State.
The event served as a venue for innovators, faculty members and students to discuss and showcase the region鈥檚 key innovations, technology transfer strategies and thought leadership.
In a welcome video that kicked off the day, Lydia Mihalik, director of the , notes that 鈥淚nvestments in new and emerging technologies are positioning Ohio at the forefront of innovation, and that is driving real change all over the world.鈥
Under Mihalik鈥檚 leadership, the state agency is forging partnerships between public and private sectors to help build a thriving economy, invest in small businesses, prepare communities for the future, construct robust broadband infrastructure and expand workforce skills.
鈥淚nvestments in new and emerging technologies are positioning Ohio at the forefront of innovation.鈥
鈥擫ydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development
A workforce development panel was moderated by William (Bill) Koehler, chief executive officer of , an organization that promotes job creation and business growth and development in 18 counties throughout Northeast Ohio.
The panel discussed the importance of students taking advantage of internships, engaging in conversations with employees while on those internships and learning proper business etiquette in the workplace. Panelists noted that it is important for companies to offer entry-level positions for students.
Debbie Connelly, senior vice president and chief people officer of , urged universities to help students hone their problem-solving skills. She says students need to learn to be flexible and consider a variety of solutions for problems, not just one.
Maria Spangler, director of community engagement at , says some universities only ask for money to fund labs or buildings when spending time with students has a better return on investment. 鈥淚 would rather send over a team of master chemists or robotics engineers,鈥 she says. 鈥淲e are a talent consumer. A million dollars for a building doesn鈥檛 get us students.鈥
J.R. Campbell, MFA, executive director of 麻豆影院 State鈥檚 Design Innovation Initiative, moderated a panel discussion on global technology trends and the big questions around Northeast Ohio鈥檚 innovation outlook.
Panel members represented key strengths of the region and the universities, including healthcare, engineering innovation, advanced materials, and immersive reality tools and technologies.
Michal Soclof, principal and director of tech ventures for , LLC, which invests in startup ventures, says angel investor groups all over Ohio are looking for innovators and great ideas to develop. The problem is connecting innovators at universities with funding. 鈥淧lease come find us,鈥 Soclof says. 鈥淲e are searching for projects to invest in.鈥
鈥擜pril McClellan-Copeland
Message from the Director of the Ohio Department of Development