Contact: Monty Jones, (512) 499-4363

Date: July 7, 2003

UT System News Release

Washington Consultant to be Hired on Developing Research Universities

AUSTIN - The Washington Advisory Group, a consulting firm that specializes in research and development issues, will be selected to conduct a study of how best to develop new research universities within the University of Texas System.

The U.T. System Board of Regents on Monday authorized Chancellor Mark G. Yudof to hire the firm to make recommendations on strategies for developing four institutions - U.T. Arlington, U.T. Dallas, U.T. El Paso, and U.T. San Antonio - into nationally prominent "top tier" research universities.

The firm also will make recommendations for strengthening the research capabilities of four other institutions - U.T. Brownsville, U.T. Pan American, U.T. Permian Basin, and U.T. Tyler.

Expanded collaboration between the U.T. System's nine general academic institutions and six health science institutions is also expected to be a focus of the enhanced research activities.

"This study will lay the groundwork for major advancements in the research programs at institutions throughout the U.T. System," said Chancellor Yudof.

"With the advice and counsel of the Washington Advisory Group, we will develop a strategic plan that will outline priority fields for research, delineate the need for faculty and graduate student expansion, and examine opportunities for marshaling public and private resources. We anticipate that public-private partnerships will be a fundamental element of every university's efforts to strengthen its presence in research."

The study is expected to be completed by early in 2004.

Among the nine general academic universities in the U.T. System, U.T. Austin is the only one that currently ranks among the nation's top 100 universities in research awards, although several of the others have been increasing their research activities significantly in recent years. The six health science institutions conduct extensive medical research.

The Washington Advisory Group, LLC, provides consulting services to universities, governments, companies, and non-profit organizations. Principals of the firm include members of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. The principals have served as university presidents, corporate vice presidents for research, leaders of the National Science Foundation, members of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, members of the National Research Council, and in other prominent academic and scientific positions.

The firm's web site is at http://www.theadvisorygroup.com/

The Washington Advisory Group

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