University of Washington, Bothell to host inaugural Innovation Forum Feb. 13–17

University of Washington, Bothell's Innovation Forum is a four-day, free public event that encourages discourse between the university and the community on an annual topic of interest. This year’s event, scheduled for Feb. 13-17, is focused on innovation and creativity and their impact on the region, economy and education. The four-day event will include numerous panels, programs and activities spanning a range of disciplines from bioethics to theater. The community is invited and encouraged to join the discourse on innovation and creativity. To view the schedule and follow the Innovation Forum blog visit http://www.uwb.edu/chancellor/event/innovationforum. 

UW-Bothell Chancellor Kenyon S. Chan will moderate the opening plenary at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 13. This session will examine how organizations promote innovation from within.  Chancellor Chan will be joined by Richard Shea, CEO, Olympus Respiratory America; Dr. Deborah Wilds, CEO, College Success Foundation; and Lou Gray, serial entrepreneur and co-founder of DreamBox.

According to Chancellor Chan in a press release, “A goal of University of Washington, Bothell is be a place that inspires creativity and innovation on the part of students and faculty, and then connects the resulting ideas and inspirations to the betterment of our community and region.” He added, “The community’s participation in this forum will help us chart our direction.”

The closing session, "Reinventing the University," is slated for Feb. 16 and will be convened by University of Washington President Michael K. Young. The lead participant in the panel will be Professor J. Rogers Hollingsworth of the University of Wisconsin. Hollingsworth is internationally recognized for his writing on innovative institutions. Other panelists include Dr. Fariba Almadari, vice president Strategic Marketing and Value Analysis for Boeing Commercial Airlines, and Dr. Anoop Gupta, distinguished scientist, Microsoft Research. This closing event will be a “blue sky” exercise in imagining a new university structure with what is known now. 

There is limited seating at this final panel and RSVPs are required via the forum Web site, http://www.uwb.edu/chancellor/event/innovationforum.

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