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 When one thinks of Philadelphia, many things come to mind depending on interests and perspectives. The City of Brotherly Love is renowned for its sports franchises and its rather passionate fans; film buffs think of the many movies for which the city served as a backdrop, from ?The Philadelphia Story? to Tom Hanks? poignant portrayal in ?Philadelphia? and the ?Rocky? films. History buffs recall the Liberty Bell, Ben Franklin, William Penn, and the city?s role in the birth of the nation. Food aficionados will think of cheesesteaks and hoagies; and of course, there?s W.C Fields? epitaph that he?d ?rather be in Philadelphia.?
The city?s civic leaders see the incredible higher education cluster and its role as a critical asset to the region?s ?knowledge industry.? More than eighty colleges and universities contribute an annual economic impact of $6.4 billion to the region and higher education ranks among the region?s largest employers. Millions of new dollars are drawn into the regional economy through tuition payments; purchases by students, faculty and their families; and research grants. Philadelphia?s higher education institutions enroll about 300,000 students, many of whom are new to the area; and over 55,000 degrees are awarded each yeara significant pool of new knowledge workers for the region?s employers and the seedbed for future entrepreneurs. A defining industry, for the region, much like the entertainment industry is to Los Angeles, Philadelphia?s knowledge industry is a strong contributor to the region?s economy, attracting talent, creating an educated and skilled workforce, and stimulating innovation and entrepreneurial activity.
In an effort to maximize the impact of the knowledge industry on the region?s economy, the region?s civic leaders formed the Knowledge Industry Partnership in 2003, a coalition of civic, business, government and higher education officials. The Knowledge Industry Partnershipor KIPwas formed to attract, engage and retain students to the Philadelphia area. KIP recognizes that retaining college students begins with attracting them and requires consistent and positive engagement throughout their college career. The core strategies of the KIP are organized around the three main phases of the student life cycleArrive, the college selection process; Explore, the enrolled student experience; and Achieve, the after college decision.
An important component of the KIP structure is that it is not housed in any one institution. Rather a partnership of business, university, government and non-profit organizations lend their expertise to different parts of the KIP agenda; with the Pennsylvania Economy League coordinating the partnership?s activities.
KIP grew out of the effort to leverage the strength of Philadelphia?s higher education resources to offset its 30 year history of stagnant regional population growth and ongoing population decline within its urban center. Philadelphia looked to rejuvenate an aging and shrinking working age population and raise regional educational attainment levels. The Knowledge Industry was seen as key to defining the region?s competitive position in the 21st century economy; and a critical strategy was to attract and retain the talent necessary to a competitive knowledge industry.
KIP found that less than 30 percent of graduates from Philadelphia colleges and universities who were originally from outside the region stayed after graduation; however, 86% of the graduates from within the region stayed. Graduates go where they can obtain work and where they feel welcomed. There seemed to be a disconnect between students at Philadelphia area colleges and the city. Under the umbrella of KIP?s One Big Campus program, students connect with the city at different points in their college life. One component of One Big Campus, CareerPhilly, helps students obtain internships that may lead to a job upon graduation. Campus Philly, a nonprofit organization in partnership with the City of Philadelphia, is working to involve college students in the lifestyle, professional and community fabric of Philly and its surrounding region by providing them with better information, incentives and networking opportunities.
For more information on the Knowledge Industry Partnership, please contact Annette Mattei of the Pennsylvania Economy League at .
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