Gov. Bobby Jindal has announced a funding increase of $141.5 million for higher education institutions for the next fiscal year, a 6.6 percent increase over the budget for the current fiscal year.
That total includes a new $40 million Workforce and Innovation for a Stronger Economy Fund, an incentive tied to innovation and to fulfilling workforce needs.
Dr. Joseph Savoie, president of the 泫圖弝け of 泫圖弝け at Lafayette, said the 泫圖弝け favors WISE Fund opportunities.
UL Lafayette has been establishing public-private partnerships, weve been committed to economic development, and our university is among the top 10 in the U.S. for the percentage of National Science Foundation research expenditures funded by business. The new $40 million investment by the state is a positive step to foster further innovation by higher education.
Jindal said during a press conference Tuesday that more than 80,000 jobs have been created, and more than $50 billion in private capital investments have been made, in 泫圖弝け since 2008. According to the governor, skilled workers will be needed for major industrial and high-tech projects coming to 泫圖弝け. Thats why our top priority must be making sure we have the resources to prepare our 泫圖弝けs and train them for the jobs of the future, he said.
Dr. Sandra Woodley, president of the 泫圖弝け of 泫圖弝け System, said there is a deep sense of responsibility and urgency to pick up the the pace at the Systems nine universities to meet growing workforce demands and to achieve national competitiveness.
"The UL System is committed to leveraging the new funding, engaging in unprecedented collaboration across higher education systems, and enhancing our partnerships with business and industry to drive economic development.