BOG Strategic Direction #4. "Creation and Transfer of Knowledge: Expand the frontiers of knowledge through scholarship and research and stimulate economic development in North Carolina through basic and applied research, technology transfer, and public service activities."

The Division of Information Resources supports the University in its efforts to expand the frontiers of knowledge through scholarship and research and to stimulate North Carolina's economic development by encouraging technology transfer and the commercialization of both UNC and private sector research discoveries.  The division's staff actively seeks collaborative research and partnerships with industry, government, and other entities to advance priorities of great importance to North Carolina's economy and quality of life, such as biosciences and biotechnology.

Enhancing outreach and economic development initiatives

• Online Services is helping University Affairs lay the foundation for the N.C. Economic Development Portal, a pioneering effort that will serve as a clearinghouse for statewide technology transfer capabilities, promote the University’s work to the private sector, and boost the state’s economy.  The project is a collaborative effort with the Research Triangle Institute and UNC University Affairs and Sponsored Research divisions.
• Online Services helped the N.C. Educational Research Council and the National Paideia Center launch web sites and is working on a new site for the N.C. Center for International Understanding.

Facilitating access to databases, software, and other tools

• Networking and Media Services worked with N.C. State and UNC-Chapel Hill on a collaborative research effort to re-establish access to supercomputing resources formerly available through MCNC.  Although the machines are housed at N.C. State and UNC-Chapel, supercomputing resources are available to UNC’s 16 campuses and private institutions
• Information Resources is an active partner in development of the North Carolina Grid Computing Initiative, a multi-year, multi-million dollar program formally launched at a forum in October.  Grid computing is expected to give a $10 billion economic boost to the state’s economy through 2010, leading to an additional 24,000 jobs and $7.2 billion in personal income.  Grid computing will help level the playing field between the state’s largest universities and those around the state that will require advanced computing capabilities in the future.
• Coordinated Technology Management is working with UNC’s Research and Legal Affairs divisions on a music piracy project that will identify potential providers of music and movies to students.  EDUCAUSE is facilitating pilot projects to evaluate the concept.

Sharing IT resources and expertise

• The Division of Information Resources embraces its responsibility to share IT resources and expertise with other North Carolina agencies, government entities and institutions.
• UNC Vice President for Information Resources and CIO is serving a four-year term on the EDUCAUSE Board of Directors.  She is also on the state’s Information Resources Management Commission; the NC Education IT Coordination Council consisting of the Department of Public Instruction, the Community College System, and the UNC Office of the President; and the board of Cary Academy.
• The director of Coordinated Technology Management serves on the state End of Life Electronics Task Force, a group charged with recommending disposal methods for IT components containing hazardous materials.  He also is on the state’s Information Technology Management Advisory Council and serves on a task force that is researching desktop acquisition collaboration among state agencies.
• The director of Information Resources Affairs serves on the e-NC communications committee, established to identify and implement communication strategies to ensure public awareness of e-NC’s goals, objectives and initiatives.
• The executive director of the TLT Collaborative has served on a number of EDUCAUSE committees, including the 2003 Southeast Regional Conference Program Committee, and delivered the keynote address at two North Carolina statewide teaching and learning conferences.