Press release details

"The university environment is fertile ground for the development of new ideas, technologies and entrepreneurs that industry needs for innovation," said Kathleen M. Jimino, county executive of Rensselaer County. "In Rensselaer County, we have established highly successful programs that encourage collaboration between our universities, business and government to fully utilize the extensive resources of our local universities, spur growth of new companies and create jobs for the greater good of our communities."

The delegation toured the nanotechnology and biotechnology centers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and at the State University at Albany. They met with local government and academic officials to discuss programs designed to encourage the development and transfer of emerging technologies from universities into commercial channels. The group discussed the important role that Rensselaers incubator and entrepreneurial programs play in the transformation of ideas into marketable products and in the creation of technology and business clusters. Officials also explored ways for future collaboration and alliances.

"Rensselaer's technology commercialization model has a proven track record of stimulating significant economic development in the Capital Region, and we are pleased to be able share our experiences with our colleagues from Australia. We are also looking forward to discussing our mutual interest and expertise in nanotechnology and biotechnology, with a view toward potential collaborative activities," said Ken Gertz, administrative vice president of research at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute."

The Australian delegation included: Honorable John Brumby, treasurer, minister for state and regional development, and minister for innovation for the State of Victoria Dan O'Brien, chief of staff to the treasurer and minister for state and regional development for the State of Victoria Jane Niall, executive director of Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development Dick Wettenhall, Ph.D., professor of Biochemistry and director of Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute at the University of Melbourne Peter Jonson, Ph.D., chair of the Australian Institute for Commercialization, director of Village Roadshow Ltd. and deputy chairman of Pro Medicus Ltd. Michael Wilkinson, chief operating officer for MiniFab Andy Gearing, Ph.D., CEO of BIOCOMM Michael Lisle-William, Ph.D., vice president for government - Asia Pacific for EDS' Solutions and Consulting

About Rensselaer County Economic Development & Planning Rensselaer County Economic Development & Planning (RCED&P) is an economic development agency dedicated to ensuring the long-term economic vitality of Rensselaer County, N.Y. The office works to attract new businesses, assists existing companies with expansion efforts and creates an environment that encourages businesses to stay in Rensselaer County. A range of programs are administered by RCED&P to assist businesses with land and building selection, financing, employee recruitment and training, and permit and regulatory issues. Visit www.rensselaerlife.com for more information.

Contact: Nicole Pitaniello, Media Logic, 518-456-3015 or npit@mlinc.com