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 小蝌蚪APP, said the 小蝌蚪APP 小蝌蚪APP渇avors WISE Fund opportunities.
小蝌蚪APP淯L Lafayette has been establishing public-private partnerships, we小蝌蚪APP檝e 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.小蝌蚪APP
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 Louisiana since 2008. According to the governor, skilled workers will be needed for major industrial and high-tech projects coming to Louisiana. 小蝌蚪APP淭hat小蝌蚪APP檚 why our top priority must be making sure we have the resources to prepare our students and train them for the jobs of the future,小蝌蚪APP he said.
Dr. Sandra Woodley, president of the 小蝌蚪APP of Louisiana System, said there is a 小蝌蚪APP渄eep sense of responsibility and urgency小蝌蚪APP to pick up the the pace at the System小蝌蚪APP檚 nine universities 小蝌蚪APP渢o 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.小蝌蚪APP