Georgia Tech President G. P. “Bud” Peterson is participating in a national meeting focused on advanced manufacturing today in Pittsburgh. The gathering is part of President Barack Obama’s initiative focused on making American manufacturing more competitive. Peterson will be among six university presidents who will meet with the president on the subject. 

Obama invited leaders from industry, government and higher education to help establish a national manufacturing agenda. He will announce several actions being implemented by his administration including the creation of an Advanced Manufacturing Partnership, to be spearheaded by leaders from top engineering universities and several major U.S. manufacturers. President Obama's speech, held in Carnegie Mellon University’s National Robotics Engineering Center, will be streamed online at the following link: http://www.whitehouse.gov/live

The president is expected to discuss establishing U.S. leadership in next-generation robotics. Henrik Christensen, KUKA Chair of Robotics at Georgia Tech who serves as an academic and research leader on the National Robotics Initiative, will also participate in the summit.

“I am very pleased to be a part of this effort that brings together government, industry and research universities to design solutions to ensure America’s manufacturing competitiveness now and in the future,” Peterson said.  “Georgia Tech is an economic engine for the state of Georgia, and we are honored to work in concert with other universities, industries and the government to foster economic development and help create jobs on a national level as well.”

According to Peterson, commercialization is deeply ingrained in the mission of the Institute.

“Georgia Tech will continue to play an important role in assisting the American manufacturing sector in becoming more competitive,” he said.

Peterson also serves as a member of the Secretary of Commerce's National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship.