From research to results: How the U of I System powers economic competitiveness

The University of Illinois System’s long-standing commitment to shaping the state’s economic future through education, research, and innovation continues to spread — this time to senior global leaders who visited Illinois for the Americas Competitiveness Exchange (ACE).

Though quantum computing, artificial intelligence (AI), advanced manufacturing, and agriculture took center stage, they were far from the only focus. The conference brought 50 delegates from around the world to Illinois, all eager to engage in discussion on economic and workforce development, technology, energy, logistics, and life sciences — all key points of interest and areas of potential collaboration.

Looking to the U of I System as an example, ACE delegates are eager to leverage Illinois’ successful strategies to bolster existing programs and create new initiatives in their own communities and countries. According to one of the primary organizers of ACE Illinois, that makes the weeklong slate of events — held at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) campuses, with stops in other locations such as Peoria and Naperville — a statewide success.

“Often people don’t realize the diversity of communities we have throughout Illinois,” said Jeannette Tamayo, the U of I System’s Associate Vice President for Workforce Development and Community Engagement. “We made sure to convey a wider view of the state and showcase some of Illinois’ gems outside of Chicago.

“ACE delegates got to see how we work together and that a win for one of us is a win for all of Illinois.”

Another sign of a big win? Tamayo said ACE Illinois, the 20th ACE event, garnered the most letters of interest and memorandum of understanding for future projects and partnerships ever executed during ACE.

“We have more in common than we realize. Through our identities and sharing common challenges and solutions, we are helping each other in the Americas,” Tamayo said.

ACE is the premier economic development, innovation and entrepreneurial network of the Americas and is one of the leading events of the Organization of American States (OAS). The internationally connected OAS fosters conversations across 35 independent states of the Americas, focusing on democracy, human rights, security, and development.

The U of I System-led Illinois Innovation Network (IIN) played a key role in OAS and the federal government choosing Illinois for its most recent ACE edition. IIN’s public university-based hubs join with industry and communities on entrepreneurship, research, and workforce development across the state. Tamayo serves as its executive director.

Sparking excitement around a key opportunity, the U of I System shared the history and progress of quantum endeavors across its enterprise. UIUC experts showed the brainpower behind the work — physicists, computer scientists, and authorities from a host of other disciplines. ACE participants gained understanding of the future of quantum exemplified in the system-led Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, as well as the need for pre-quantum training to build a powerful quantum workforce.

“We are a big player in quantum and we were able to show ACE participants that we’re in a cutting-edge position on many fronts because we are intentionally interdisciplinary and inclusive in how we approach essential work,” Tamayo said.

At ACE Illinois, many voices joined to share best practices, as well as visions for progress and positive change.

> Click here for the full story, including examples of partnerships forged at ACE Illinois.