Rochester, N.Y. --April 30, 2003-- Heidelberg executives discussed the critical link between education and the printing industry during a recent printing symposium at Rochester Institute of Technology. RIT hosted the event, “Print Media Industry Futures: Challenges and Opportunities,” on April 25. The symposium was held in conjunction with the dedication of RIT’s new Web Press Laboratory, which features the Sunday 2000 web press system donated by Heidelberg. Heidelberg executives participating at the symposium and Sunday press dedication were Heidelberg Chairman Bernhard Schreier, Heidelberg USA President Niels Winther, Heidelberg Digital President Wolfgang Pfizenmaier and Heidelberg Web Systems President Werner Albrecht. • “The success of print media depends heavily on the three factors that define RIT’s mission and our partnership with this world-renowned institute — state of the art technology, outstanding training and advanced process knowledge,” Schreier said. • “With RIT, together we connect with and help train the students of today, and the decision makers, leaders — and employers — of tomorrow,” Winther said. “We work together to instill in them a desire to follow the infinite career possibilities that await them.” • “In a very important way, this project with RIT is consistent with Heidelberg’s business philosophy of solid, long-term commitment to our customers’ future and to learning,” Albrecht said. During his keynote address at the symposium, Pfizenmaier discussed the link between education and the printing industry, in his presentation titled: “From the Classroom to the Pressroom: Education's Critical Role in Today's Printing Industry.” Specifically, Pfizenmaier highlighted the impact of education on the future of print media and why the partnership between print businesses and educational institutions is critical to the future of print media. “I’m honored to share the stage with the esteemed RIT faculty at this important event for the printing industry,” Pfizenmaier said. “While new equipment and technology are the enablers of productivity, higher learning and advanced skills are essential for the successful print business of the future.” “Educators need to expose today’s students to the relationship between technologies that bridge the print media world with other high-tech industries,” Pfizenmaier added. Other symposium presenters included U.S. Public Printer Bruce James and RIT School of Print Media faculty Frank Romano, Barbara Pellow and Frank Cost. Topics presented by School of Print Media faculty included industry demographics, value-added services and computer-integrated print manufacturing.