Look to the Partners of public purpose.
U-M is so much more than a place for us to live, work, and learn. We strive to be a dynamic force for positive change — an innovative community that thrives on engagement, collaboration, and partnerships that make a difference in our state, our region, and our world.
Rooted in our public commitment, U-M fuels economic vitality across the state of Michigan. We aim to discover and nurture our community’s talents, collaborate on solving common issues, and seize opportunities to invigorate our community and society. Through strategic partnerships that strengthen the bridge between academia, government, and industries, we aim to generate a pulse of innovation and growth that reverberates across the state.
Through the ideation and development of an innovation district, we will foster private sector involvement and governmental support to ignite the entrepreneurial spirit, generate job opportunities, and spur local investments — all while creating experiential learning opportunities for our community. By implementing “smart growth” strategies and a standardized framework that emphasizes financial returns and social benefits, we aim to ensure that U-M efficiently uses our land for sustainable development. This model will address societal needs, such as affordable housing, community partnerships, and other impactful programs within our community.
Our vision, however, is not confined to regional boundaries. U-M aims to broaden the university’s footprint globally. We plan to pursue partnerships with national laboratories, forge international research alliances, expand exchange programs, and build additional collaborations with diverse commercial, educational, and governmental entities. As we grow our vibrant research setting, we are positioned more than ever to make transformative discoveries that will enrich the quality of life for Michigan residents and people around the world.
In the next decade, we will:
- Develop an innovation district that will expand partnerships for new ventures, experiential learning, job opportunities, and local investments.
- Build stronger community partnerships throughout our state — including Dearborn, Flint, Detroit, and other cities — to emphasize local impact and fulfill our role as a public university.
- Expand our vibrant research enterprise to encourage risk-taking, spark transformative discoveries, and communicate our impact locally, nationally, and globally.
- Enhance partnerships with national laboratories to create jobs and position Michigan at the forefront of breakthroughs in science and technology.