Outlook Outlook byJo Ann E. Argersinger Chancellor B ecoming acquainted first-hand with the breadth and depth of our research excellence here at SIUC has been one of the premier joys of my new position as chancellor. Our research involves partnerships and collaboration, from extending the educational benefits of systematic inquiry to undergraduates to promoting new solutions for practical problems in the state and the nation.
Research is about discovery and innovation.
Research also links us to our society in new and profound ways, for it is a major engine for economic development and social change. Today, however, as we approach the 21st century, our economy is vitally and inextricably tied to the research done by universities, in areas from biotechnology to materials science to information management to public policy. This trend is only accelerating, and SIUC must partner with industry, the state, and other universities to create a climate conducive to enhanced innovation and experimentation. The range of projects featured in Perspectives points up the link between research and society. And just as the changes transforming industry have challenged all aspects of trade, the changes affecting higher education challenge us to make this critical investment even when resources are increasingly stretched thin.