Contact:
Eric Sloss
412-268-5765

For immediate release:
September 12, 2006

Carnegie Mellon Cornerstones, UPMC Sponsor International Symposium Positioning Pittsburgh in Global Economy, Oct. 3

PITTSBURGH—Cornerstones, the outreach program of Carnegie Mellon University's School of Architecture, is teaming up with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) to sponsor a symposium titled "The Dynamic Economies of Asia and Global Wellness Opportunities for Prosperity in the Pittsburgh Region." The event will be held Tuesday, Oct. 3 in Carnegie Mellon's McConomy Auditorium.

The symposium aims to bring together leading authorities from around the world to share their knowledge on issues that match the region's strengths in science, health and technology, and to discuss global trends and emerging markets. As part of the symposium, Cornerstones will also host a VIP reception that will enable regional, national and international leaders in the business, medical, policy and academic fields to network and discuss ways to accelerate the Pittsburgh area's efforts to develop profitable ventures in promising global markets.

"Our outstanding national and international speakers will share their experiences and vision regarding our world economy and global health issues," said John Kosar, president of Cornerstones. "These annual symposiums meet the Cornerstones mission of advancing the Pittsburgh region."

The one-day symposium will feature several speakers, including Carnegie Mellon Trustee Sunil Wadhwani, CEO and co-founder of Igate; surgeon Thomas Starzl, recognized as "the father of transplantation surgery"; Dan Drawbaugh, UPMC's chief information officer; and Zhang Yue, president and CEO of Broad Mechanical Systems. Other prestigious leaders and decision-makers will also lecture and participate in panel discussions aimed at building a better understanding of global change in the Pittsburgh region.

"UPMC is thrilled to work with Cornerstones to help bring Pittsburgh innovations to world markets," Drawbaugh said. "Our own international ventures in Italy, Ireland and Qatar already illustrate that there is an international demand for the high-caliber intellectual capital UPMC and others in Pittsburgh have to offer. In the old days our steel built the world. Today, it is our knowledge — and the demand is growing."

Tickets for the symposium are $175 each, $600 for a group of four (includes one VIP ticket), or $1,100 for a group of eight (includes two VIP tickets). The cost is $100 for non-profit employees, $50 for government employees and $25 for faculty. Students are admitted free.

The VIP reception, sponsored by the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, will be held at 7 p.m., Monday, Oct. 2 at the Duquesne Club in downtown Pittsburgh. Single tickets are $100.

Cornerstones encourages faculty, staff and students from the School of Architecture to discuss issues of design, development and building with local professionals in an effort to create new opportunities for economic growth. The group is committed to enhancing architectural education and providing scholarship funds for career opportunities. Cornerstones also sponsors hands-on design and development workshops that focus on issues of national, international and global significance.

Carnegie Mellon's School of Architecture, established in 1904, is one of the most distinguished architecture programs in the United States. The defining interests of the School of Architecture are integrated design education, sustainable design, advanced building systems, building performance, computational design, urban design and professional practice.

To register for the symposium, contact Bob Johnston at 412-268-9554 or rj@andrew.cmu.edu. To contact UPMC, call Chip Walters at 412-647-9902. For the symposium schedule, visit cornerstones.arc.cmu.edu. For more information about the School of Architecture, visit www.arc.cmu.edu.

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