January 19, 2005
Del Mar College Partners with Texas State Technical College Waco to Encourage
Students to Enter Careers in Nanotechnology
TSTC receives $500,000 grant to launch Nanotechnology Workforce Development
Initiative
What do stain-resistant pants, longer lasting tennis balls and some enhanced
sun-protection lotions, ski wax and digital cameras have in common? Nanotechnology.
In simple terms, manufacturers now have the ability to manipulate and improve
products at the molecular level. But the applications don’t end with consumer
products. The technology, or nanotechnology, lends itself to areas of aerospace
and defense, health care and medical developments, semiconductors and telecommunications.
Earlier this month, Gov. Rick Perry awarded a $500,000 grant to Texas State
Technical College Waco (TSTC) to launch the Nanotechnology Workforce Development
Initiative to encourage college students to pursue careers in nanotechnology.
The grant is funded through the federal Wagner-Peyser Act and administered by
the Texas Workforce Commission.
Del Mar College is one of four partners of this initiative, serving as a prototype
community college in curriculum development, along with Baylor University and
Zyvex Corporation--the industry’s commercialization leader that focuses
on supplying tools, products and services that enable adaptable, affordable
and molecularly precise manufacturing.
“Texas is a technology powerhouse, not by accident but because of active
planning and strong public-private partnerships like this one,” said Gov.
Perry during his announcement. “This initiative demonstrates our commitment
to ensuring Texas remains a key player in the high-tech workforce of the 21st
Century.”
So what does the partnership mean for Del Mar students?
“The initiative will provide five Del Mar College students majoring in
chemistry or chemical laboratory technology with paid internships for a semester-long
work experience within a first class nanotechnology facility,” said Dr.
Lee Sloan, dean of the College’s Division of Occupational Education and
Technology. “They’ll have the opportunity to work with and learn from
top scientists and inventors.”
Carliss Hyde, director of External Resource Development at TSTC Waco, also
noted, “The relationship with Del Mar will result in a plan for integration
of nanotechnology into community colleges around the state with an emphasis
on shared resources at central locations, in this instance, at TSTC Waco. Once
a curriculum is developed, we’ll post it to our Web site for downloading
and implementation anywhere in the state.”
As noted in the governor’s news release, state officials anticipate that
the Nanotechnology Workforce Development Initiative will be key to a concerted
statewide effort to support advanced manufacturing in Texas as well as stimulate
entrepreneurial efforts and attract new business to the state. Nanotechnology
is a key component to a new economic cluster strategy announced by the governor
that requires strategic investments in burgeoning technology fields that can
lead to decades of growth in Texas.
“It’s imperative that we have a well trained, innovative workforce
to bring the promise of nanotechnology to fruition here in Texas and the U.S.,”
said Zyvex founder and CEO James R. Von Her II. “This program is a major
step to helping us meet the challenges of this competitive global economy and
achieve that goal.”
The Nanotechnology Workforce Development Initiative is also expected to accelerate
efforts to secure additional government funding to further curriculum development
and training efforts statewide.
“Already, Zyvex wants Del Mar to take the lead on an additional proposal
this fall that focuses on the biological and chemical side of nano technicians,”
noted Dr. Sloan. “TSTC Waco primarily focuses on robotics and instrumentation.”
Questions concerning this initiative can be directed locally to Dr. Lee Sloan,
dean of Del Mar's Division of Occupational Education and Technology, at 698-1700
or to Carliss Hyde, director of External Resource Development at TSTC Waco,
at 254/867-4843.
-DMC-mce