Learning Objective: Participants will have a greater awareness and understanding of technology commercialization and the opportunities that await their institutions.
 
Institutions of Higher Educations (IHEs), particularly research institutions, are increasingly expected to play a role in the economic development of their communities.  Regional and city governments envision start-up companies emerging from university sponsored research – every institution believes they will be the catalyst for a “new Silicon Valley” ecosystem.  This seminar features a series of speakers who will describe their programs, and the key role and opportunities for HBCUs/MSIs in technology commercialization.
 
Participant Takeaways:
•    The role of technology commercialization and IHEs and importance for HBCUs/MSIs.
•    Exposed to success stories in technology commercialization from various regions.
•    Federal and state opportunities for technology commercialization.
Breakout session to meet with speakers: 11:10 – 11:30am

Moderator: Victor McCrary, Vice President for Research, University of the District of Columbia.

Learning Objective: Explore and propose strategies that would support HBCUs as 5G Testbeds and Partners in deployment of 5G nationwide.

Description:
Broadband and 5G technology have created the conditions for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), whether it is the potential of blockchain for enabling key 5G technologies; or the impact IoT devices will have on health care, artificial intelligence innovations, or meeting the demands of increasing data-intensive applications. 4IR will have disruptive implications for the organizational structures of HBCUs and the economies within which they operate. HBCUs, as an integral part of America’s 5G-deployment strategy, are keys to the nation’s growth, productivity, and competitiveness strategy. HBCU preparedness for the Fourth Industrial Revolution might well be a solution to the problem of a digitally bifurcated society. It has been predicted that from 2020 to 2035, the total contribution of 5G to real global GDP will be equivalent to an economy the size of India—currently the seventh largest economy in the world. HBCUs have the potential to be force multipliers in the contribution of 5G to both national and global GDP.

Participant Takeaways:

• Offers suggestions that might lead to developing strategies for HBCUs to be key players in local, state, and regional broadband/5G planning ecosystems.
• Offer suggestions to ensure that HBCUs partner with federal government agencies and the telecommunications industry to be players in the 5G prototyping efforts for participation in 5G testbeds.
• Develop some problem-solving heuristics for leadership to help re-position HBCUs as leaders in a global digital society and economy.
• List strategies for how HBCUs can alter their organizational structures for 5G collective impact investing.