Advanced Technological Education - ATE: Bio-Link: A National Advanced Technological Education Center for Biotechnology

City College Of San Francisco, San Francisco CA

Investigators

Abstract

Bio-Link's mission is to strengthen and expand biotechnology technician education at community and technical colleges throughout the nation in order to 1) increase the number and diversity of well-trained technicians in the workforce; 2) meet the needs of industry for appropriately trained technicians; and 3) institutionalize community college educational practices that make modern, high-quality education in the concepts, skills, and ethics of biotechnology available to all students. Bio-Link's National Center at City College of San Francisco provides leadership to seven Regional Centers using a coordinated national strategy that is implemented through the Regional Centers. The Regional Centers are located at community colleges throughout the United States: Northeast-New Hampshire Community and Technical College; Southeast-Alamance Community College; North Central-Madison Area Technical College; South Central-Austin Community College; Northwest-Seattle Central Community College; Northern California Biotechnology Center-City College of San Francisco; and Southwest-San Diego City College. Regional Centers pursue a number of specific substantive activities that help Bio-Link achieve its objectives. Each region also develops relations with local industry and educational institutions in order to understand and meet regional needs and to distribute information locally. The goals Bio-Link established are key to fulfilling its mission: 1) Provide support for students and technicians, 2) improve instruction & learning, 3) share information and resources, and 4) foster collaborations and partnerships. Some of the key accomplishments under these goals that continue to be supported include a survey of all biotechnology technician programs at community and technical colleges across the United States; an annual Summer Fellows Forum for community college and high school instructors from around the country to share best practices and learn new techniques; and the Bio-Link Website that contains information on a myriad of topics from job and workshop announcements to a virtual laboratory, equipment lists, and instructional materials. In addition, Bio-Link solicits, tests, and reviews instructional materials; assists in program development; devises means for attracting students, especially underrepresented minorities, into biotechnology; and works with high schools and baccalaureate institutions to improve articulation. In general Bio-Link helps educators keep up with an industry that is not only increasing in size, but expanding from research and development to manufacturing and computer analysis. In doing so, Bio-Link best prepares students to meet the evolving needs of the biotechnology industry.