It's about time the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering spins off from the University at Albany and becomes its own standalone campus.
UAlbany should be praised for doing what it does best — raise the next generation of leaders and then let them fly.
In this case, it fostered nanotechnology research, which grew out of the physics department, to become the world's first nanotechnology-focused college. Now it's time to let it go off on its own.
It was the brainchild of former Gov. Mario Cuomo, who recruited physicist Alain Kaloyeros to join UAlbany almost 25 years ago after completing his studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Kaloyeros took that fledgling department from a small lab in the basement of the physics building to CNSE's $14 billion Albany NanoTech complex.
CNSE is at the epicenter of change in New York. As the owner of multiple companies, I have seen our region's business climate become the envy of the rest of the state thanks to the rise of the NanoCollege. I'm proud my IT business is based in what is fast becoming recognized as a key player in the computer industry.
But the fact is, CNSE is bigger than Albany. The NanoCollege already competes with elite schools such as MIT, Harvard and Stanford for the best and brightest students. And it is winning.
So the logical next step is to leverage that brand across New York state. Business leaders understand this. You either make moves to grow or stand still and become stagnant. So far, leaders from government, SUNY and UAlbany have wisely helped Kaloyeros and his team make critical moves to expand the CNSE brand. It's a move ultimately to raise New York's profile nationally and internationally.
This year, the first of my children left home to attend college. My daughter Evitza is a freshman at the University of Albany, majoring in the sciences. Her mother and I are proud of her, having raised her, mentored her and guided her to adulthood. Now it's time for her to fly and test those wings.
UAlbany should also take pride. It has laid the groundwork for the NanoCollege to stand on its own — and fly.
Tush Nikollaj is president and CEO of Logical Net Corp. in Schenectady.