THE STATE'S FORTUNE DEPENDS ON ITS WORLD-CLASS PUBLIC RESEARCH UNIVERSITY

The building blocks of a healthy economy are research, innovation, and an educated and high-quality workforce. A world-class public university unites the people, ideas and talents that create this climate, a key to prosperity. A world-class university attracts students who will be the leaders of the future and faculty whose research discoveries lead to innovations of all types. Advances in research bring new enterprises, jobs and economic growth. New knowledge attracts business and international activity to the State, fueling emerging fields and tackling important societal problems. A world-class public university keeps the most talented high school graduates in the State and attracts the most talented minds from around the world. International collaboration increases Maryland’s international reputation and furthers business and growth opportunities. Respected leaders recognize the links between a world-class university and the health, and future, of the State.

WHAT DOES A WORLD-CLASS UNIVERSITY DO FOR THE STATE AND ITS PEOPLE?

A world-class university prepares students for the global economy, brings in hundreds of millions of research dollars, creates high-paying jobs and fuels new businesses like no other enterprises can. Five key roles of a world-class university are illustrated in this testimony:

1. keeping the State’s most talented students in the State
2. attracting the best and brightest people to the State
3. powering the State’s economy and development
4. pioneering basic research of highest value
5. transforming people’s lives through education and opportunity