| RELEASE: Immediate | CONTACT: Susan Seymour, Norman Smit |
| DATE: April 29, 2005 | PHONE: (919) 807-7155 or 807-7181 |
NCCCS BioNetwork BioAg Center Grand Opening
RALEIGH: The Grand Opening of the the North Carolina Community College BioNetwork BioAg Center will take place on May 02, 2005 at 10:30 a.m. at the A.D. Lewis Auditorium on the Robeson Community College campus.
Underscoring the importance of agricultural biotechnology and the role of the Center, a panel of top speakers will address attendees. Interviews can be arranged with the speakers and BioNetwork staff.
North Carolina is presently ranked second in the US in agricultural biotechnology research. With its strong agricultural heritage and wide biodiversity, the state is well positioned to grow this industry.
The speakers include:
· President Martin Lancaster - NC Community College System President. He will speak of the important role the BioNetwork BioAg Center will play as a key resource for the entire community college system.
· Dr. Charles Chrestman - the President of Robeson Community College. As President of the host community college he will speak of how this center intends to become a nationally prominent site developing educational programs and services supporting the growth, development and use of agricultural biotechnology in North Carolina.
· Dr. Leslie Alexandre - NC Biotechnology Center President - She will talk about why biotechnology is important and the NC Biotechnology Center's partnership with BioNetwork.
· Valeria Lee, Golden LEAF President. She will speak about why Golden LEAF provided start up funding for BioNetwork.
· J.D Brooks, BioNetwork BioAg Center Manager. With 26 years of international experience and leadership in the agrochemical, animal health and biotech industries, he has a unique perspective on the positive impact agricultural biotechnology will continue to have on North Carolina’s economy.
· Other speakers and special guests include Senator David Weinstein (D-13th District), George Regan of the Robeson Community College Board of Trustees, and Tony Brewington, the Robeson Community College Director of Program Development.
T
he BioAg Center will coordinate and develop the specialized agricultural education and training activities at community colleges statewide, so that North Carolina can have a well-trained biotechnology workforce.
The BioAg Center is one of six BioNetwork centers across North Carolina. Each of the BioNetwork Centers has an area of specialization. They will be responsible for developing expertise and curricula that remain abreast of the cutting-edge technologies used in this industry and then making it available to community colleges statewide. They will also conduct faculty train-the-trainer courses. By sharing resources, BioNetwork can be efficiently responsive to industry’s workforce training needs.
Startup funding for NCCCS BioNetwork was provided by Golden LEAF. BioNetwork is seeking continuing funding from the NC Legislature for this important initiative. More information about the initiative can be found at the BioNetwork website - www.ncbionetwork.org
For further information, contact:
Norman Smit
NCCCS BioNetwork Marketing Director
Smitn@nccommunitycolleges.edu
200 West Jones Street
5003 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-5018
(919) 807-7181
###
RETURN TO TOP OF CURRENT PAGE
Last modified: Friday, May 20, 2011 02:25:19 PM
This page maintained by Public Affairs.