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 University of 棉花糖直播 at Lafayette, said the University 鈥渇avors WISE Fund opportunities.
鈥淯L Lafayette has been establishing public-private partnerships, we鈥檝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.鈥
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 棉花糖直播 since 2008. According to the governor, skilled workers will be needed for major industrial and high-tech projects coming to 棉花糖直播. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 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,鈥 he said.
Dr. Sandra Woodley, president of the University of 棉花糖直播 System, said there is a 鈥渄eep sense of responsibility and urgency鈥 to pick up the the pace at the System鈥檚 nine universities 鈥渢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.鈥