August 19, 2022

The Report

A bold new vision for higher education in Indianapolis

As widely reported last week, the boards of trustees of both Indiana University and Purdue University unveiled a new framework for their future operation and cooperation in Indianapolis that is designed to increase the number of graduates ready to engage in today’s innovation-led economy, enhance economic development in the region and across the state, and better serve the Indianapolis community and beyond.

The new vision will transform the 52-year-old IUPUI -- a joint venture between the state’s two largest research universities on a campus IU owns and manages -- into separate academic organizations in which IU and Purdue will each govern their own programs. It calls for a more energized role for each university and the production of more graduates ready to participate in the modern economy. It also outlines a platform for expanding research activities in the Hoosier state capital and supporting joint research initiatives, including the creation of a joint biosciences engineering institute, involving IU’s School of Medicine, Purdue’s Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering and health-related disciplines at both universities. The new institute will seek to develop new life-enhancing therapies and technologies while also deepening a pool of sought-after professionals who will create new business ventures and attract new companies to Indiana.

In last Friday’s announcement, IU President Pamela Whitten and Purdue President Mitch Daniels emphasized IUPUI's record of accomplishment over the past five decades. During that time, IUPUI has evolved from a local commuter school to the third largest undergraduate campus and one of the biggest research campuses in Indiana. Its 206,000 living alumni contribute mightily to the state's economic growth. But the opportunities and challenges of that growth, and the changing demands of a modern economy, demand a new approach, the presidents said. 

In her most recent weekly blog, Whitten explained, “Business and community leaders in central Indiana have expressed concerns about shortages of qualified talent, particularly in the sciences, technology and health care, as well as a greater need for high-end research. And, as the state's largest public research universities, IU and Purdue have an obligation to evolve and change in response to the dramatically changing needs of the Hoosier state and the growing city of Indianapolis.”

Under the new realignment, IU, which already has responsibility for the overall campus, will retain its current schools and programs, including intercollegiate athletics. The campus will operate as IU Indianapolis. Completion of the realignment is expected in time for the fall 2024 semester, at which time the new academic organizations will become official.

The Aug. 12 announcement elicited positive reaction from Indiana business, government, philanthropic and public sector leaders, who joined IU officials in recognizing the historic moment for Indianapolis and the transformative effects they foresee from the new collaborative framework between IU and Purdue.

"IUPUI's realignment will create a transformational change across Indiana's landscape and far beyond,” said Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb. “As Purdue and Indiana University -- two of our state's globally competitive universities -- continue to focus on their individual strengths, they will also now create an epicenter for research and a training ground for future focused innovative fields to ensure students are ready for the modern-day economy. This bold move will ensure Indiana is a leader in developing the workforce of tomorrow and attracting more companies to Indiana that are on the brink of cutting-edge discovery. Congratulations to Presidents Daniels and Whitten for keeping Indiana's trajectory straight up."

Learn more about the next chapter of IU education in Indianapolis and what IU’s partners across the state are saying.

 

Economic Engagement Update

"The beauty of IoT”

Over the past five years, as Indiana and IU have worked to support and catalyze innovation in the Internet of Things, students in IUPUI human-computer interaction professor Lou Lenzi's courses have engaged in more than 20 sponsored IoT-related projects spanning such important industries as advanced manufacturing, energy management, home health, industrial automation, precision agriculture, process automation, rural telecommunications, and retail food and beverage.

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IU leaders share vision for accelerating economic development in Bloomington region

IU leaders discussed the university's current economic impact statewide, regionally and locally — as well as its vision to deliver even greater benefits to the Hoosier communities it serves — at the 2022 State of the Bloomington Regional Economy meeting, presented by the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation.

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New rankings spotlight flourishing startup communities in Indianapolis, Bloomington

In the first shakeup of the traditional top three in the annual Midwest Cities Rankings since the rankings began in 2017, Indianapolis is now ranked the third best Midwest city for startups. The city's rise in the rankings is attributed to its aggressiveness in launching and maintaining resources to support the growth of new business ventures. Bloomington ranked 15th, its highest-ever spot in the rankings and one spot ahead of Lafayette. All of this was good news for IU and IU Ventures, as the university and its early-stage venture investment arm engage in efforts to strengthen the state's entrepreneurial ecosystem and culture of innovation.

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Statehouse Update

In mid-June, Governor Holcomb called for a special session of the Indiana General Assembly to begin in July to deal with inflationary relief due to the state’s revenue collection swelling the state’s surplus above $6 billion...

Statehouse Update • Aug 19, 2022

 

Federal Update

CHIPS Act to provide major boost to IU innovation, STEM-related initiatives

Last week, President Joe Biden signed into law the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, a $280 billion bipartisan bill that includes investments in emerging technologies and innovations critical to America’s economic competitiveness, scientific and technology leadership, and national security...

Federal Update • Aug 19, 2022

 

IU News

AI researchers to help Indiana manufacturers reduce energy use

Indiana University researchers are using artificial intelligence and machine learning to help small and mid-sized Indiana manufacturers lower their carbon footprints and train students for careers in the emerging field of energy analytics.

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IU cybersecurity researchers awarded multi-institutional NSF grants to protect data, user privacy

Indiana University researchers are working on two new cybersecurity projects, recently funded by the National Science Foundation, to ensure trustworthy cloud computing and increase computing privacy for marginalized and vulnerable populations.

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Fast, efficient COVID-19 biosensor under development at IUPUI

To help meet the challenge of testing for shifting COVID-19 variants at a “population scale,” researchers from the School of Science at IUPUI are developing a new biosensor with the potential to achieve the speed and efficiency required for the future of COVID-19 testing.

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IU Ventures invests in alumni-founded platform transforming peer-to-peer support

An innovative Indiana University-affiliated health care venture will have the support of IU’s global community of investors, donors and entrepreneurs behind it as it aims to revolutionize peer-to-peer support for patients facing life-altering medical diagnoses.

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