by Morgan Montalvo
A Monday night presentation hosted by the University of the Incarnate Word focused on the question many, if not most, graduate students ask themselves this time of year:
"Was getting an advanced degree worth it?"
UIW's Triple Helix Careers panel discussion featured U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar (TX-28); UIW Provost Kathi L:ight, PhD; and University Health Systems CEO Dr. George Hernandez representing government, academia and industry, respectively, to address the employment and innovation challenges that local advanced degree holders face in a global economy.
Panel organizer Prof. Osman Ozturgut, UIW's Dean of Research and Graduate Programs, says the "triple helix" cooperative model unites government, industry and higher education in an effort to identify employment and innovation opportunities. He says the model is responsible for much of the economic success enjoyed by China and Hong Kong.
Monday's discussion, Ozturgut said, dealt primarily with health care-related employment for local graduate students because of the industry's prominence in San Antonio, but the same core concerns apply regardless of area of study. He said other topics included how to avoid a "brain drain" of advanced degree holders without resorting to mandates similar to those in other U.S. cities that offer free or low-cost degrees, then require students to work in those communities for years or pay back the cost of their education.
Ozturgut said the "triple helix" strands - government, industry, and universities - also drive innovation by allowing students to brainstorm ideas and identify future employment opportunities in a risk-free academic setting, complete internships and conduct on-site research in corporations and government offices, then return to their schools to share new ideas and best practices with professors and peers.