President Robert C. Dynes
Video Letter Transcript, March 2007
Hello, and thank you for tuning in.
I’d like to update you on some exciting activities that are helping the University of California carry out our three missions – education, research, and public service – in entirely new ways that will strengthen our impact on the state and its citizens.
Next week, I will testify before Congress about our “Cal Teach” K-through-12 science and math education program. The House Committee on Science and Technology is giving us an opportunity to showcase the University’s leadership in K-12 education reform. The Committee shares our belief that America will not stay competitive in the global economy if its future workers are illiterate in science and math.
“Cal Teach” has been a very bold venture. We saw a crisis, and we joined forces with the Governor and our CSU colleagues to take decisive action on that crisis. As I will tell the House Committee, I am proud of the progress “Cal Teach” is making, and that progress really has been driven by the campuses. I want to personally thank the deans who have taken leadership roles, and also the faculty and staff in departments of science, math, and education who are teaming up on innovative new curricula.
Last month, I led a UC delegation on a trip to India to talk with leaders from universities, government, and industry about forging research and educational partnerships in several areas with huge potential. The first is developing drugs to treat so-called “neglected diseases” like malaria and tuberculosis. The second is creating wireless infrastructures that can deliver health care to underserved rural populations. Another is in the area of nanosciences as a platform for energy research.
It was a very fruitful trip. I firmly believe that the strategic alliances we are building with China, India, Mexico, Canada, and Africa are critical to UC’s position as a global leader in innovation. And these partnerships will keep California competitive and vibrant, in large part by attracting the best and brightest from around the world to our State.
Closer to home, I recently visited with constituents and alumni in Ventura County. I again saw first-hand how UC academic preparation programs are transforming entire communities by instilling a college-going culture in underserved schools. And I talked with farmers and entrepreneurs who look to the University for ideas that help their operations thrive.
To give one example, UC scientists are helping growers recover from the devastating January freeze, which cost Ventura County an estimated 350-million dollars in crop losses. We are helping citrus growers determine if their lemons and oranges can be sold on the fresh market. And we are working with farmers to assess whether damaged trees will recover or will have to be replaced.
Let me wrap up by mentioning that our 2007 “UC Day” will take place on Tuesday, March 27. This annual event gathers the entire UC family – alumni, supporters, friends, and colleagues – to visit our elected officials in Sacramento and tell them about the great work that the University of California is achieving, and that all of you are achieving.
In my January message, I vowed that 2007 will be a year of moving forward. We are doing just that with these kinds of initiatives – and many more. I want you to know how much I value your service to the University and to the state.
I hope everyone is enjoying the spring season, and I’ll be back in touch again in May. As always, if you have any thoughts you want to share me, you may do so directly through my Dynes’ Desk website.
Thanks again for tuning in, and I’ll talk to you soon.
