The Pulp and Paper Education and Research Alliance (PPERA) is an alliance of universities with programs that are individually distinctive, but are similar in being committed to the advancement of the North American pulp, paper, and allied industries.
Each PPERA university partner has various supportive relationships with industry and government designed to strengthen the contributions of higher education to the pulp, paper, and allied industries. In recognition of these strategic partnerships, the university programs comprising PPERA will work together to develop synergistic programs in education, research, and service, which are mutually beneficial and collectively leverage contributions to the pulp, paper, and allied industries.
Membership in PPERA places no limitations on participating institutions.
Strategy
PPERA benefits its member institutions and the North American pulp, paper and allied industries by:
- Facilitating high quality research and development programs that are vital to the pulp, paper and allied industries.
- PPERA institutions will work with the North American pulp, paper and allied industries and the professional organizations serving that industry to expand related research support and infrastructure.
- PPERA institutions will be encouraged to collaborate with each other and with industry to maximize benefits derived from research and development program expenditures.
- Faculty in PPERA institutions will be encouraged to develop joint research proposals, programs, and more extensive student and faculty interactions.
- Electronic data interchange/networking will be used whenever cost effective to advance the cause of the alliance.
- Recruiting and preparing students in engineering and science programs related to the pulp, paper and allied industries.
- PPERA institutions will enhance student recruitment by encouraging the development of appropriate materials and programs describing technical capabilities of the industry and its career opportunities.
- Educational needs of the industry will be determined and advice sought through foundations and industrial advisory boards.
- Information regarding educational programs of PPERA institutions will be disseminated broadly within the academic and industrial communities.
- Faculty in PPERA institutions will be encouraged to collaborate on educational projects that benefit the institutions and the North American pulp, paper and allied industries.
- Developing new educational and training materials.
- PPERA institutions will encourage the development of educational and training materials that can be utilized by academic, industrial and government organizations.
- Faculty from PPERA institutions will be encouraged to develop innovative educational/training materials that can be delivered via electronic media.
- Faculty in PPERA institutions will be encouraged to cooperate in providing continuing educational offerings.
- Working with the North American pulp, paper and allied industries and the professional organizations supporting that industry to provide authoritative technical information and analysis to the public.
- PPERA institutions will, when appropriate, interface with other industry organizations to develop information on pulp and paper issues.
- PPERA institutions through their networking capabilities will identify and recommend personnel who can provide objective information on pulp and paper issues.