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Keeping the Gold Standard
 President Mark A. Emmert, '75.
In recent years, countries throughout the world have invested extensively in their higher education systems in a concerted effort to catch up with American colleges and universities. To a certain extent, their investment is paying off. It seems like every week there is a new report or set of statistics about increasing global competition, especially in science, engineering and technology. In light of this partial leveling of the playing field, the question naturally arises: Why do other countries continue to view the U.S. as the world leader in higher education? What is it that distinguishes us and gives us a competitive edge?
Based on what I have heard in a number of conversations with foreign academic leaders, the answer is clear: It is how we instill creativity and innovation in our students. When students come to a great research university like the UW, they come to learn more than a discrete set of facts. They come to discover new ways of looking at the world and thinking about its problems. Consequently, our students don’t just learn how to see the next logical step in a process. They see how to do it better, or they envision an entirely new process. It is this capacity—the ability to be creative and generate groundbreaking ideas—that provides a competitive advantage. And it is the success of American universities in instilling this spirit of innovation that other countries most want to emulate.
It seems only natural that the University of Washington would excel in this area. Discovery is at the heart of our University. One of the most obvious examples of this is our research enterprise. UW researchers have a proud history of innovation and impact, as evidenced by some of the stories in this issue of Columns (see “The Right Stuff,” and “Star Searcher”). Yet conducting research at the UW is not a privilege confined to the ranks of faculty. Students also play a vital role. These students are increasingly found at the undergraduate level.
At the first annual Undergraduate Research Symposium 10 years ago, 70 students presented research. More than 625 students participated in this year’s symposium, and they represented only a fraction of the undergraduate population mentored by a faculty member on a real research project during the past academic year.
Undergraduate research at the UW tackles all manner of problems across all fields. Whether their research is in the humanities, the sciences, business or something entirely different, students find themselves at the center of discovery and innovation. It gives them an enormous advantage as they embark on the next chapter of their lives. When these students are interviewing for graduate school or a job and are asked what they did in college, they can reply, “I conducted research on improving diagnostic methods for brain tumors,” or “I created a performance that combines dance and digital arts.” Such answers have a decidedly different effect than, “I studied from a textbook.”
By instilling a sense of creativity and innovation in our students, we ensure a competitive edge for them, our University and our region. Other countries recognize this. It is an important part of our past and our present, and because of it, we can be profoundly optimistic about our future.  | | MARK EMMERT, '75, President | |
