Contact: Chriss Swaney
412-268-5776

For immediate release:
March 18, 2002

Carnegie Mellon and Lehigh Host Seminar Promoting Universities as Economic Development Engines

PITTSBURGH—Officials of Carnegie Mellon University and Lehigh University will host a symposium on the importance of using research universities as engines of economic development. The one-day meeting, featuring panel discussions about the benefits of entrepreneurial startups, technology transfer and educational outreach, is designed to harness the energy of technology research and commercial innovation fueled by the Pennylvania Infrastructure Technology Alliance, an alliance created to link business and academia to create high-paying jobs in the state. The alliance also aims to stem the "brain drain" by enticing highly-skilled university graduates in the fields of engineering and computer science to remain in the keystone state for work opportunities.

WHEN: 1- 4 p.m., Monday, March 25
WHERE: Hilton Harrisburg and Towers, One N Street, Harrisburg, Pa.