Second Annual Symposium
Friday, November 21, 2003
9:00 am to 7:00 pm
Cone University Center
Director of the Center for Optoelectronics and Optical Communications and Event Host Dr. Mike Fiddy
Photonics Programs in the Future: Centers, Outreach and Industrial Relationships
This year's Symposium was again a success. We had over 250 attendees, eight guest speakers and fifteen exhibitors as well as dozens of student posters. The presentations spotlighted new research directions and industrial opportunities, and explored strategic alliances for economic development and workforce development. Our focus was on the future of photonics and manufacturing and workforce needs as well as possible initiatives that might stimulate the optics community. These include Fiber To The Home and Optical Sensor initiatives (e.g. as related to homeland security). Several invited speakers addressed these issues. The keynote speaker in the early evening was Professor Emil Wolf, who gave a lecture co-sponsored by the local chapter of the Optical Society of America.
Agenda
Welcome and Introductory Remarks:
Dr. James H. Woodward, Chancellor, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Dr. Robert McMahan, Secience Advisor to NC Governor Michael Easley
Dr. Michael Fiddy, Director, Center for Optoelectronics and Optical Communications
Morning Sessions:
Dr. Fred Welsh, Executive Director, Optoelectronics Industry Development Association: The Global Electronics Market
Break and Exhibits
Dr. Anthony Levi, University of Southern California: Challenges for Photonics in Future Systems
Dr. Matt Davies, University of North Carolina at Charlotte: Photonic Device Replication
Dr. Ravindra Athale, Program Manager, DARPA/MTO: New Directions in Photonics
Lunch and Exhibits
Dr. Brendan Plapp, Project Director, SPIE/OSA: Joint Advocacy for Optics and Photonics
Dr. Eugene Arthurs, Executive Director, SPIE: Outreach
Breakout Session I:Workforce and Professional Development and Photonics Programs
Breakout Session II:University-Industry Collaborations and Partnerships
Review of findings from breakout sessions and action items
Reception
Evening Plenary: Dr. Emil Wolf, University of Rochester: "Young's Interference Experiment Two Hundred Years Later"