ABSTRACT
Public universities must take an active role in supporting the development of rural information systems that complement, extend, inform, and enhance ongoing state and national information systems. Universities often have the funds and the mandate to conduct research and, thus, the potential to play a complementary role in the development of national information systems. University research is responsive to rapid change. Most universities tend to be conceptually dynamic and substantively innovative. Universities often have the funds and the mandate to conduct research and, thus, the potential to play a complementary role in the development of national information systems. Universities need to encourage a climate that stimulates researchers to contribute appropriate data to information systems. Land-grant universities would be mandated to provide information systems sensitive to the particular needs of the state and relevant to rural issues and people in that state. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.
