Commerce Department joins forces with Fresno State Center for Water Technology

Joseph H. Bogosian, deputy assistant secretary for Transportation and Machinery in the U.S. Department of Commerce, left, and President Welty sign documents.

Joseph H. Bogosian , deputy assistant secretary for Transportation and Machinery in the U.S. Department of Commerce, visited Fresno State on Oct. 22 to lend his agency's support for the International Center for Water Technology (ICWT), currently in development on the campus.

Bogosian and university officials signed a Memorandum of Understanding to encourage and support the work of the new center, a partner ship between the ICWT and 40 water technology manufacturers, to develop and promote new technologies that will improve water conservation and water quality while reducing energy use.

The memorandum calls for the agency and the ICWT (with the involvement of the California State University, Fresno Foundation)to work jointly to develop an export opportunities program for U.S. water and fluid science technology firms to identify and pursue worldwide markets and trade opportunities.

The agreement creates an organized joint approach for export promotion that will use such activities as conferences, video conferences, exhibitions, seminars, site visits, trade missions and other trade events.

The International Center for Water Technology is a collaborative venture between the university, industry and public agencies. Dr. David Zoldoske , the center's director, said a state-of-the-art center will break ground in spring 2004 at Chestnut and Barstow avenues on the Fresno State campus. The first construction phase includes a new testing and certification laboratory and a solar-powered water pumping demonstration and training facility.

For more information, contact Zoldoske at (559) 278-2066.