Bras addressed a group of more than 75 institutional researchers and private industry leaders attending Renewable Bioproducts Institute’s inaugural symposium, “Renewable Bioproducts: Advances in Lignocellulosic Processes and Products,” Oct. 1-2.

“We have an extraordinary story,” he said. “We have taken something that has been very good, something that has had a great impact and moved it forward, evolving along the way, with the strategy of combining education and research.

“During the worst economic downturn in a long time, the quantity and quality of our students have increased and our graduate program is growing. Our students are averaging the highest GPA ever – 3.94. Our engineering college is the largest in the nation and consistently ranked in the Top 4 or 5. As a matter of fact, every one of our programs is in the Top 8, not just engineering. We’ve gone from a regional engineering school to a global power.”

The research undertaken by Georgia Tech has also grown by 40 percent to $750 million in a $1.5 billion budget, opening the door to more opportunities to define technol ogy research, not follow the trends, he said, and the Renewable Bioproducts Institute fits that strategic plan.

“It’s a dynamic institute that is moving onward. It fits our quality enhancement program, our accreditation process, our economic development and industrial strategy,” Bras said.

“There are many exciting things going on with the research being done inside this institute. Biofuels? This will come. No doubt about it. Pharmaceuticals, agriculture, forestry, energy, biology and human health – all of these will be based on renewable bioproducts.”

Bras said there could not be a better time for industry to partner with Georgia Tech researchers in developing enhanced and new technologies.

“We want industry engaged. We want to be a partner in economic development,” he said. “Our goal is to reach $1 billion in research monies with one-quarter of that coming from an industrial base. I believe we can do that. I believe we can show you – the leaders in industry – what a valuable partner we can be.”