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Show U official saysReseach park key to brain drain rrlr , , Tl,-i ,. ,, , , , - ' '"' , -J A. ' ,i... Map pictures the lands which will become the Research Park which wasPoPnce the Ft. Douglas property. Vice President Ralph Mecham predicted that park will become attraction for college graduates. By Mary Ellen Sloan Staff Writer Uh's "brain drain" could be alleviated with the addition of the Research Park to the University campus, said Ralph Mecham, University vice president for Economic and Community Development, "Many graduates leave Utah to find jobs which are not provided in the state." Vice President Mecham noted that 585 acres south of Fort Douglas will be the home for companies interested in utilizing the research personnel and knowledge of a University campus. Enrich Community This partnership between the University and industry will "enrich the community and the University." Mr. Mecham mentioned that all cross-sections of the University community will be involved in the program with students and faculty lending their knowledge to the development of technology and industry in Utah. The park, modeled after the Stanford Research Park in Palo Alto, California, will offer students an option to work in industry and technology in Utah rather than leaving the state. The Vice President continued "Utah is lagging badly in high technology, industry and manufacturing. It is generally about one half the national average." Industry and manufacturing are only creating about half the needed jobs per year, of the 15,000 jobs needed only 7,800 were created. Presently, he noted, there are two companies located in the "Incubator Research Park." One is the ITE Imperial Company which is an artificial heart testing laboratory and employes University graduate and undergraduate students. Another small company, Evan Southerland Computor Hardware is growing within the campus atmosphere. In addition, the Bureau of Mines granted 25 research scholarships to University students. |