The Houston Area Technology Advancement Center (HATAC) located at the University of Houston is an outgrowth of an economic development effort begun by the Greater Houston Partnership (GHP) in 1998. HATAC has since become the educational arm of the Houston InfoComm Technology Center (HiT Initiative)

With input from the HiT Initiative advisors, organizations and focus group research from the University of Houston, HATAC established that high tech skills and knowledge were missing and chose to do something about it. As a result, HATAC's charge is to make Houston THE skill and knowledge capital of the world as summarized below:

Create economic prosperity for all socioeconomic stakeholders by fashioning a Business-to-Education-to-Business (B2E2B) feedback loop that facilitates high tech skill and knowledge solutions from area educators to satisfy skill and knowledge needs from the business community. This effort will enhance the growth of high tech economic development capabilities within the Houston area.

HATAC will also vigorously pursue new and emerging high tech career areas to and facilitate the development of appropriate curricula in response to changing technology and social conditions. To accomplish this vision, HATAC interfaces with GHP membership (2200 area businesses and members), various advisory groups, educators (K-20/x, public and private), community-based organizations and others.