Iowa State and the University of Iowa may not be able to peacefully coexist on the football field, but a new cooperative effort between the two universities could economically benefit the state.

Mark Kushner, dean of the College of Engineering, said state leaders need to discuss how to increase Iowa’s economic development by following examples of other colleges, including the University of Texas, and using research to drive economic development.

“We would need to make some conscientious decision that is part of the discussion as to what we are willing to change in our lifestyle for the economic benefits,” he said.

Kushner said the 35-mile corridor between Ames and Des Moines could be filled with companies, a radical departure from the current economic landscape.

“You have to take some risks to get the big gains,” he said.

Kushner said new economic gains could be achieved in Iowa if the state universities’ colleges of engineering are utilized better.

“What we need is the ability to have more liberal intellectual property policies in the universities and state government so companies are more motivated to work with the universities,” Kushner said.

John Brighton, vice provost for research, said he agrees with Kushner. Because the engineering college is closely tied to industry, it would be a good idea to bring more companies into the state, he said.

“I think the faculty here typically does fundamental research, but they are also doing things that not only benefit the college and the university, but the state,” he said.

The state of Texas invested heavily to build collaborative facilities among the high technology industry and the university, Kushner said during a recent speech delivered to the Ames Economic Development Commission.

He said the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the central research and development organization for the U.S. Department of Defense, compiled a consortium of 14 semiconductor chip manufacturers called SEMATECH to build a large research facility in Austin, Texas.

The technology sector in Austin now accounts for two-thirds of the city’s annual economic growth. Approximately 125,000 people work at 2,000 high-technology firms in the area and half of the top-10 employers in Austin are semiconductor-related, Kushner said.

SEMATECH has also grown to include international spinoff technologies, Kushner said. From 1994 to 1999, the number of startup companies increased from 250 to 600 and totaled $2.3 billion in available research funds, he said.

Kushner said differences exist between Texas and Iowa, because of the state’s strong agricultural base. Instead of microchips, the state would invest in biotechnology, crop sciences and biorenewables, he said.

Kushner said the new research collaborations would not negatively affect the quality of education at the university and could advance it.

“We need to come to the realization that the rising tide raises all ships,” Kushner said.

P. Barry Butler, dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Iowa, declined to comment.