University and technology park officials from all over the country want to follow the successful example of NDSU and Fargo’s Research and Technology Park.

The Association of University Research Parks invited NDSU President Joseph A. Chapman to give the keynote address at its summit in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 25.

Chapman focused on the importance of collaboration.

“We met with legislators, our congressional delegation, the governor, business leaders – all agreed to establish the park with the needed flexibility. Our success has depended on bipartisan and nonpartisan work by leaders who understand what’s at stake for North Dakota’s economic future,” Chapman said.

U.S. Department of Commerce official William Kittredge opened the summit commending NDSU’s park as a premier example of how to make research and technology parks thrive. Kittredge is the director of national programs and performance evaluations.

“I have been talking about what’s been going on at NDSU for a year. NDSU is setting the standard,” Kittredge said.

The Research Technology Park and the Technology Incubator are home to fast-paced, high-growth companies that promote economic development in North Dakota. Each of them either has the potential to compete globally or is already doing so effectively.

To operate within the Research Technology Park, a company should be involved in the advancement and development of new technology, be willing to establish a working relationship with NDSU and work in one or more of the following technology fields: material sciences, biosciences and life science technology, information technology, nanotechnology, advanced manufacturing and sensors/micro-electronics.