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Purpose: to develop a strategic plan for the informatics, electrical energy and telecommunication sectors of Georgia. The foundation of this plan will be the active engagement of higher education and applied research in the economic development of these three industrial areas, patterned after the model of Georgia Tech Lorraine, the European platform of the Georgia Institute of Technology of Atlanta.Goals:
A strategic plan for the proactive role of advanced engineering education and applied research in each of these three industrial sectors. The strategic plan would consist of:
Key strategic objectives
Local situation
Justification
Implementation
Specific goals and schedules
Means required
Technological, professional and financial resources required
Background
Georgia achieved independence from the former Soviet Union in 1991, and immediately began
a period of devastating political and economic upheaval. The country has now achieved political stability and is at the beginning of a time of significant development in all sectors.Sustainable development of the country at this time requires the sustained development of three key sectors: electric energy generation, distribution and end-use; telecommunications; and informatics. Since Georgia does not have any significant raw energy sources other than hydroelectric power, economic development is likely to primarily come from the manufacturing and service sectors of the economy. The availability of reliable and high quality electric energy supply is a necessity for such economic development. The strategic location of Georgia at the crossroads between Europe and Asia provides strong opportunities for trade and commerce which can be leveraged only through the availability of modern and reliable telecommunication and informatics infrastructure.
There exists a close relationship between the country of Georgia and the state of Georgia in the United States. This collaboration provides a platform for further collaborations in the three industrial sectors mentioned above. This proposal to draft a strategic plan for the active engagement of higher education and applied research in the economic development of these three industrial areas arose out of a meeting at Georgia Tech Lorraine (GTL) in Metz, France. The participants were:
Dr. Ramaz Khurodze
Rector
Georgian Technical
University
Tbilisi, Georgia Dr. Hans B. Puttgen Directeur, Georgia Tech Lorraine Vice Chair, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, GA, USA Dr. Kenneth Walker Atlanta-Tbilisi Healthcare Partnership Professor of Medicine Emory School of Medicine Atlanta, GA, USAThe purpose of the Metz meeting was to explore the possibilities of sustained collaborative ventures between the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta and the Georgian Technical University in Tbilisi by way of Georgia Tech Lorraine. Some background about Georgia Tech Lorraine is useful in understanding how this proposal might work.
Georgia Tech Lorraine, GTL, is the European platform of the Georgia Institute of Technology. GTL was launched in 1990 within the framework of the sistership agreement between the Region of Lorraine and the State of Georgia. GTL is a nonprofit organization incorporated and operated under French law. All educational and research activities pursued at Georgia Tech Lorraine are the direct responsibility of the Georgia Institute of Technology. The three main activities of GTL are: degree granting education primarily focused at the Master of Science and PhD levels; research and development; and continuing education.
Presently these activities are principally in Electrical and Computer Engineering (Digital Signal Processing, Telecommunications and Optics, as well as Systems and Controls), and Mechanical Engineering (Acoustics Manufacturing Systems, System Controls). A significant characteristic of the academic programs offered at Georgia Tech Lorraine is that they lead to the original degrees being awarded by the Georgia Institute of Technology; therefore, all admission and graduation requirements are identical to those enforced on the Atlanta campus of the Georgia Institute of Technology. In addition, the students at GTL have the option to pursue selected double degree programs in close collaboration with European universities. SUPELEC, a leading French Grande Ecole of Electrical and Computer Engineering and ENSAM, a leading French Grande Ecole in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, are examples of such collaborations. Research activities play an important role at GTL, specifically in view of the main educational emphasis on graduate level degrees. An example of collaborative research activities is the creation of a joint research laboratory at GTL with the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) of France. There are also collaborations with industry. E.g., Daewoo Electronics, of Korea, has created its European research center on the campus of GTL.
The French legal status of GTL greatly facilitates the creation of collaborative endeavors with European and North American industry and academia.
Georgia Tech Atlanta faculty are assigned to GTL for varying periods of time. The faculty and their families reside in housing built for this purpose. In addition, there is a highly developed component of distance learning activity between the Atlanta and Metz campuses.
A fundamental assumption on which the concept of GTL is based is that the notion of a global market is no longer an abstract idea; it has become a reality. This market must be faced and leveraged by industry as well as academia. Increasingly fast and reliable transportation and communication capabilities are erasing the economic and commercial borders not only between
countries but also between continents. In this rapidly evolving environment, it becomes critical that the private and public sectors have access to engineers, scientists and managers who not only react to the needs of the global market but who also embrace the emerging challenges it faces.A strategic plan targeted at the active participation of university level engineering education and research in the sustained development of the three industrial sectors of electrical energy, telecommunications and informatics is desirable to outline the roles of government, industry and education in the short term and long range development of Georgia. Of particular importance is the attraction of foreign industrial investment in Georgia to solidify and expand the local infrastructure. In addition, the integration of advanced engineering education and research needs to be formalized within the context of the industrial development process.
The end result of the proposed effort would be a strategic plan for the proactive role of advanced engineering education and applied research in each of the three industrial sectors mentioned above.
Milestones:
Formation of a strategic planning force consisting of members from:
Ministry of Economics
Ministry of Industry
Ministry of Post and Communications
Ministry of Energy
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Department of Informatics
Rector of Georgian Technical UniversityEx Officio members could include:
World Bank
European Bank of Reconstruction and Development
United Nations Development Program
Georgia Institute of Technology/Georgia Tech Lorraine
Emory University
Office of the Science Advisor to the President of the United States
Office of the European CommissionerAdvisors: representatives of relevant interested U.S. and European companies
A small working group would be constituted to:
Assess the current status of the ongoing strategic planning related to these three industrial sectors within Georgia with a special emphasis on higher education and research.
Assess the existing international and institutional relationships and collaborations.
Solicit reactions from the intended ex officio members of the task force.
Initiate the process of securing active industrial participation in the strategic planning process.
Initial scoping of the final document.Deliverables:
Appointment of the Strategic Planning Force
Constitute and empower the working group
Draft and finalize the Strategic Plan
Publicize and distribute the Plan
Identify potential sources of funding.
Approach the Georgia government at the higher levels.
Appoint the Task Force.
Secure the required funding under the formal umbrella of Georgia.
Constitute and empower the working group.,
Draft and finalize the Strategic Plan.
Publicize - distribute the Strategic Plan.Budget
Travel, living expenses of consultants, administrative and staff expenses $500,000 over 24 month period
CONTACT
Hans Puttgen 75317.2263@compuserve.com
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Last Update: March 27, 2001