Innovation.  What does it really mean?  It means change, it means different ways 
of thinking, it means different ways of doing things.  

The Pacific Northwest really is a crucible for companies like
Microsoft, Boeing, Zillow, Expedia, Starbucks.  All of these
make us think in different ways and do things in different ways. 

As an educational institution, we hope that this is a place where ideas are born, 
they’re nurtured, we cultivate them and they get translated into things that are 
really beneficial for our people. 

In this installment of Uniquely Washington, I want to talk with you about how the 
University of Washington really does things in innovative ways.  

We have a long history of cutting-edge innovation at the University of 
Washington.   Discoveries and technologies created here range from Medic One 
to hepatitis B vaccine; medical ultrasound to disposable diapers and the Seattle 
Foot, which enables amputees to run.
 
And the future holds the promise of many more great discoveries and innovations. 

Today’s UW faculty and researchers are at the leading edge of innovation in 
many areas, including robotic surgery in extreme environments, climate change, 
smart sunglasses, the next-generation of  microchips and much, much more.

And, our track record has been impressive.  For example, in the College of 
Engineering, much of the research leads to new inventions, new devices, new 
patents and new licenses.  The Technology Transfer Office reports over 200 
companies that have been started by UW students and faculty, or with technology 
developed here.     

But we’re investing even more in this office so that it can serve the faculty better 
and so that we can develop strong industry partnerships. 

We’re here today in the ground-breaking NASDAQ trading laboratory at the 
University of Washington Business School.  
It was the first of its kind on the West Coast on a college campus. It really allows 
our students to learn how to manage stock portfolios and to learn how to do 
simulated trades in real time.  

It’s an excellent example of how we incorporate new methods into
learning and teaching at the University of Washington.  

Other examples include… 

Catalyst, which creates and manages computerized learning spaces and 
laboratories for students and faculty.

Classroom Support Services, which provides audio visual support and records 
lectures for use as podcasts.

…and CIDR, which consults with faculty and provides resources in course design 
and engaging students in their own learning.

The University of Washington is also innovative in the way we handle and help 
our students.  

The Student Fiscal Services is a way our students can deal with tuition, with 
enrollment, with housing, through a group of 
web-based tools.
  
The Financial Desktop is a way managers can deal with budgets, transfer money 
from one account to another in a way that is very similar to online banking.

As you can see, we are here in the Foster Business library today
where wireless internet is accessible.  It is available on many parts of our campus 
but we are even expanding the reach, because we understand how important this 
is to learning and discovery at the University of Washington.

In fact, we understand how important information management is. 

We’ve established a new Office of Information Management  headed by Vice 
Provost Sara Gomez.  Her goals are to make sure that information is collected, 
managed, organized in an optimal way to serve our students, our faculty and our 
staff. 

What role has innovation played in your life at the university?  Once again, we’d 
like to hear from you. Post your comments on our message board.  You can find 
the link at: Washington.edu/discovery

Thanks very much for taking time.  Next month, we’ll finish our series on 
Uniquely Washington and talk about us an academic community.  Look forward 
to seeing you then.