The Regional Chamber of Northeast Indiana’s board of directors has endorsed a state legislative study committee’s recommendation that IPFW become a campus within the Purdue University system, with an enhanced commitment to educational and research opportunities.
The study committee recommended that Purdue University assume governance over the Fort Wayne campus, while Indiana University will maintain the presence of the IU Medical School and enhance its health science and medical education programs in the region, including a commitment to create the inaugural Health Science Education and Research Center.
The Regional Chamber’s 17 member board includes executives from several of Northeast Indiana’s largest employers representing manufacturing, healthcare, retail, construction, financial services and higher education.
Regional Chamber Executive Director Vince Buchanan said the change would better align IPFW’s curriculum with the needs of Northeast Indiana’s job creators. “Businesses and manufacturers tell us a shortage of engineering school graduates, and particularly those with advanced degrees, constrains their ability to grow in Northeast Indiana. “
Buchanan cited Purdue’s school of biomedical engineering as just one example of curriculum with direct benefit to businesses in Northeast Indiana’s orthopedic implant manufacturing and supply industries.
“The study committee believes placing the Fort Wayne campus under the governance of a single university promises to both shorten the path to graduation, and expand access to advanced degrees and applied research,” Buchanan said. “We support both those goals because beating ‘brain drain’ and keeping our most talented young people in the region requires they have opportunities to grow here at home.”
ABOUT THE REGIONAL CHAMBER OF NORTHEAST INDIANA
The Regional Chamber represents businesses and communities in a 10-county region of Northeast Indiana, focusing exclusively on state legislation and policies that impact the workforce, infrastructure and helping Hoosiers compete in a global economy.
