| |
Houston has been involved with energy for more than a century, and now ranks as a leader in the world for virtually every segment of the oil and gas industry. So it's not surprising that a multitude of UH energy-related institutes, centers, and educational
programs have emerged over the years.
Since its founding in 1927, UH has continued to evolve and become well positioned to focus on serving the needs of Houston. In fact, there are more than twenty UH institutes and centers that span across engineering, natural sciences, technology, research, architecture, law, business, and even the liberal arts—representing about 150 faculty members.
Recommendations from a 2005 workshop led to an initiative to build an energy platform in the Greater Houston Partnership (GHP),
which UH and other regional universities could tie into that also included private industry; economic development; and state
and local government. Thus, the GHP Energy Collaborative was born. The collaborative provides an important interconnection
for UH to plug into critical technology workforce and strategy development. With energy driving about 50 percent of Houston's
economy, there's a strong sense that "so goes energy, so goes Houston's growth and prosperity."
As the third-largest higher education institution in Texas, UH couldn't help but recognize that aligning with the strengths
of Houston is a critical component for a top-tier research university that deserves flagship funding. This led to the formation
of the University of Houston Strategic Energy Alliance (UHSEA) in August 2007, a confederation of UH's energy-related
colleges, departments, institutes, and centers to establish the university as a leader—locally and globally—in energy education, research, and outreach.
UHSEA will capitalize on the university's location in Houston by coordinating its efforts with the GHP to help the city's
governmental and corporate sectors adapt to, and lead, the rapidly changing dynamics of the energy sector. It also
will expand already existing educational and research programs, forging linkages with higher education institutions, businesses, agencies, schools, and organizations. Besides strategic guidance, the alliance will facilitate interdisciplinary
collaborations and networking efforts—promoting organically developed initiatives among the colleges, institutes, and centers
of excellence.
UHSEA is structured in a "hub and spoke" format with a core operating team and a leadership council in the hub. The spokes
represent all the colleges, departments, institutes, and centers with energy programs.
"It's an important milestone in our path toward growth and excellence," says Don Foss, senior vice president for academic affairs
and provost. "More important, it marks an incredible opportunity for UH to be a key player as the nation grapples with the energy
challenges of the twenty-first century." |
