PSM, BEST are us at our best

By Richard Devlin

, Dec 3, 2009

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It is a credit to Oregon’s leaders in business and government that our state has a strong record of encouraging collaboration between the private sector and our state universities. Especially during turbulent economic times, these programs will help pave the path to economic recovery in our state by preparing workers and supporting the industries of the future.

I would like to highlight two such great partnerships that center on innovation: The Oregon Built Environment and Sustainable Technologies Center (Oregon BEST) and the development and expansion of Professional Science Masters (PSM) Degree programs in the Oregon University System.

I am very involved in both of these programs, serving as the legislative liaison to the Oregon BEST Board and also as a member of the Oregon National Governor’s Association Professional Science Master’s team.

The goal of Oregon BEST is to grow Oregon’s research capacity, attract development dollars, and to encourage economic development in the two areas of green infrastructure and renewable energy. Oregon continues to be a leader in sustainability and Oregon BEST is a great example of why we have earned this reputation. The BEST Board connects Oregon businesses with the Oregon University System’s lab facilities and expert faculty on green buildings and renewable energy. The board helps our state universities secure research and development funding, in turn creating jobs and new technologies. This partnership between OUS faculty and businesses makes available a network of research tools worth millions of dollars.

Additionally, Oregon BEST fosters the conditions for collaboration between current and prospective Oregon businesses with faculty researchers to solve research and development problems. This is a win-win-win situation. Oregon’s green economy continues to grow, Oregon companies become more competitive, and the state is able to increase its number of well-trained workers.

Another innovative program that I’ve been fortunate to be involved in during the last two years is a venture to expand Professional Science Masters Degree (PSM) programs. Recently, I spoke at the National Council of Graduate Schools in Washington, D.C., on Oregon’s success with these programs. Professional Science Masters Degrees are a relatively new type of master’s degree. They allow candidates to pursue an advanced degree in science while simultaneously developing skills relating to business. Oregon State University currently has four PSM programs that cater toward emerging workforce demands –including a popular program in the high-demand field of biotechnology. Many Northwest companies are currently competing to hire from a very limited pool of applicants with this specialized training.

PSM degree programs help maintain an ongoing relationship with employers and educational institutions to meet these workforce demands, in large part because of significant internship requirements that create lasting relationships between schools and their partners in industry. PSM programs have the added bonus of flexibility when adjusting to changing workforce demands and technologies. For instance, an advisory board is being pulled together to oversee the development of a new Renewable Energy PSM.

On the whole, the real bonus for the Oregon economy is that PSM degree holders tend to stay in Oregon once they graduate. Seventy-seven percent of OSU’s PSM graduates remain in the Pacific Northwest, 68 percent stay in Oregon. These high-valued workers contribute to our region’s ability to attract and retain growing industries.

While the path to full economic recovery will take some time, Oregon is well-positioned to be at the forefront of developing industries. The PSM degree and the Oregon BEST Board are two great examples of how state-backed programs have partnered with private businesses. These partnerships will make companies in Oregon more competitive while simultaneously training the workforce of the 21st century in our own backyards.

Senate Majority Leader Richard Devlin, Tualatin, represents Oregon Senate District 19, which includes Lake Oswego, West Linn and portions of Southwest Portland.