The foundation of every state is the education of its youth.
- Diogenes Laertius
Unconvinced Michigan's universities are the key to growing the new economy? Check out these numbers.
Excerpt:
The state's three largest universities brought in nearly $80 million in alternative energy research and development dollars in 2007 and are well-positioned to be leaders in "green energy," according to the second annual University Research Corridor report released today.
The annual report card of the University Research Corridor institutions -- University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Wayne State University -- highlighted for the first time their alternative energy initiatives, ranging from U-M's Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute to MSU's Great Lakes Bio-energy Research Center.
"The energy issue is a global issue and it's skyrocketing in importance," Wayne State President Jay Noren said in a statement. "To bring these three institutions together to address this question of alternative energy has value that goes far beyond Michigan."
Alternative energy refers to nonfossil fuel sources such as agricultural products, wind, water, sun and nuclear power.
U-M President Mary Sue Coleman said the $79.5 million in alternative energy research -- funded largely by the federal government -- is just the beginning.
"We expect this to grow," she said.
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