Faculty to visit Purdue
>>Print ViewPublication Date: 05/21/2008
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A Chinese delegation will meet with faculty to discuss the importance of international collaboration.
The delegation, from Beihang University in Beijing, China, will meet on May 27 with faculty members from the College of Technology, the College of Engineering, the Office of International Programs and the Product Lifecycle Management Center of Excellence in Discovery Park.
John Sullivan, director of Discovery Park and professor in the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, said the visit is fundamental to develop a stronger relationship with Beihang University for future projects and so more students can travel to their university.
"The goal of the visit is to expand our relationship with more products," Sullivan said. "We want to continue to elaborate and get more involved."
The delegation will visit the Neil Armstrong Hall of Engineering, Knoy Hall of Technology, the Product Lifecycle Management Center of Excellence and tour Discovery Park. The primary focus of Purdue and Beihang University's research is to study and perfect product lifecycle management, a plan structured by companies before they implement a new idea.
"The purpose of product lifecycle management is to look at a product and begin considering all the phases," Sullivan said. "That way they can bring products to the market faster."
Richard Couch, director of engagement for Discovery Park, said product lifecycle management should be important to companies because they need to be able to work together to control the data in the design, manufacturing and advertising phases.
"With product lifecycle management we want to have everyone involved in the design process," Couch said. "We want a transparency of information throughout the entire body of the company."
Couch also said that students should learn the techniques of product lifecycle management if they want to get a good job, because many successful companies are looking for employees who can understand the method.
"There is a great emerging demand for students who have this skill set," Couch said. "We can't get them (students) out fast enough."
Couch said by working with Beihang University, students will be able to gain international experience that will benefit them in the future.
"Students need to learn to collaborate," Couch said. "They need to be able to coordinate all efforts, including international collaboration. The importance of the relationship with Beijing is that they get international collaborative experience and know how to work in an international market place."