Economic Development & Outreach at the BCoE
June 20, 2007
STARKVILLE, Miss—In an effort to support the state’s economic development team in attracting and retaining industry, the Bagley College of Engineering is focusing its outreach efforts under one umbrella—the Bagley College of Engineering’s Dean’s Office. The strategic reorganization is combining the BCoE’s resources and expertise with not only economic development, but also service and educational enhancements for industries, businesses, state and local governments, and communities. This combined outreach will strengthen the College’s over all goal of becoming an engaged institution.
Creating this cohesive resource and point of communication will put businesses or community and educational organizations in direct contact with center directors, researchers, faculty, and students for specific areas of interests such as, energy, economic development, community development, transportation, safety and health, manufacturing and homeland security. Development of projects in these areas through the College will be more comprehensive in that they can utilize faculty, research and students to provide a service for an extended period of time for their business or organization. Engagement of this kind will enhance students’ educational experience and strengthen the MSU faculty through reciprocal discovery, learning and service partnerships.
The college has many of these activities and partnerships already in place. An example of one of the BCoE’s units already involved in outreach efforts with industry is CAVS, the Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems, which provides research and other assistance to automotive companies, including Nissan in Canton.
“The management of activities will stay within each unit,” says Roger King, associate dean for research and graduate studies. “What we’re trying to do is focus and leverage our existing units engagement and outreach activities so they provide an enhanced direct positive impact for business, industry and community partners.”
The organizational move is still in the infancy stages and is part of a larger University wide effort to simplify access to university resources for the state’s industry and government entities. More information will be available in the coming weeks.
News Directors: For more information please contact Roger King.