Jim Cast
Headquarters, Washington, DC                   October 5, 2000
(Phone: 202/358-1779)

Randall Correll
Headquarters, Washington, DC
(Phone: 202/358-2007)

RELEASE:  00-162

NASA ADMINISTRATOR HOSTS AGENCY-UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIP CONFERENCE

     NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin kicks off a major new higher-
education initiative Oct. 19 as part of a unique live broadcast 
originating from Headquarters in Washington, DC.

This new program is designed to strengthen the Agency's 
partnerships with the nation's universities and colleges. The 
conference will originate from the James E. Webb auditorium from 1 
to 4 p.m. EDT and can be seen on both NASA Television and the 
World Wide Web.

"A stronger partnership with academia will mean a stronger space 
agency and a stronger nation as a result," said Goldin. "NASA has 
a long tradition of working closely with universities and colleges 
in order to further our mutual research and education goals. 
Together, NASA and academia will meet the challenges of America's 
future."

The broadcast and webcast interactive gathering will be moderated 
by the Senior Advisor to the Administrator, Gen. Spence Armstrong. 
The conference will also feature presentations, including 
question-and-answer sessions, from top Agency leaders in the major 
NASA Enterprises, including the offices of Space Science, Earth 
Science, Biological and Physical Research, Human Exploration and 
Development of Space, and Aerospace Technology. 

New opportunities, both intellectual and financial, will be 
presented and discussed during the three-hour conference. "We've 
listened to both suggestions and complaints from the academic 
community, and we believe that we have responded to the 
complaints," added Armstrong. "We're pursuing budget increases as 
part of this initiative which will provide increased opportunities 
for universities and colleges to participate in NASA's mission."
More information about the conference and how to participate in 
the interactive broadcast and webcast can be found at: 

        http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/codea/codeac/WWW/

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