International business and education leaders gathered in Washington, D.C. this week to discuss the future of manufacturing, industry and their roles in higher education.

On Wednesday Georgia Institute of Technology President G.P. “Bud” Peterson spoke at the National Competitiveness Forum about the importance of getting more middle and high school students excited about science and engineering. The event also addressed how manufacturing drives economic growth and positions America as a world leader.

Immediately after a speech by President Barack Obama at the Select USA Investment Summit on Thursday, Peterson also moderated a panel that discussed how America’s universities can better partner with the world’s leading businesses and industries. 

“As the United States moves more toward an innovation-based economy, it will be increasingly dependent upon cutting-edge research, development and the transfer of technology,” Peterson said. “Universities have been able to successfully integrate each of these into the overall mission of higher education. By combining the human capital available at our universities and the wealth of the natural resources available in the U.S., we have a tremendously appealing environment for both foreign and domestic investment.”   

Event participants included Fortune 500 CEOs and five Cabinet secretaries, including Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker.