'Living lab' to explore innovative border, homeland security solutions

March 7, 2012

ASU's Polytechnic campus has partnered with the General Dynamics C4 Systems-sponsored EDGE Innovation Network to extend the existing Fed/Civ EDGE Innovation Center to ASU's College of Technology and Innovation. The center will provide an open and collaborative environment for government agencies to work directly with academia and industry to research and propose solutions to pressing border and homeland security challenges.

In addition to the center, a new four-acre ‘living laboratory’ at the Polytechnic campus will offer a test bed in realistic outdoor conditions for researchers and industry to test and evaluate ideas and proposed solutions. Download Full Image

“ASU's work with the EDGE Innovation Network exemplifies the way industry and government partners rely on faculty and students at the College of Technology and Innovation to help solve tough technical and practical challenges,” said Mitzi Montoya, vice provost and dean, College of Technology and Innovation.

The living laboratory is a hands-on environment that will enable industry and academia to explore and integrate various technologies such as broadband wireless communications and surveillance that may benefit Border Patrol and other agencies.

“This partnership is an important step in ongoing efforts to secure the southwest border,” said Chris Marzilli, president of General Dynamics C4 Systems. “Within the unique EDGE environment, industry and academia will come together to better understand homeland security challenges, like those facing the Border Patrol, to rapidly develop solutions that will make their jobs safer and more efficient.”

The Fed/Civ EDGE Innovation Center and outdoor lab will be staffed by teams of professional engineers, academic personnel and students engaged in research related to border security, emergency management, renewable energy and sustainability. For example, the outdoor lab will test new and innovative capabilities that could be integrated into the national network of towers that comprise the national Rescue 21 system, currently in use by the Department of Homeland Security.

“The living lab will be part of the Collaboratory, CTI’s platform for collaboration with external partners for research and education in areas that include sustainability, aerospace and defense, and conservation and renewable energy,” said Anshuman Razdan, associate professor and project director.

The college and General Dynamics CS4 Systems EDGE Innovation Network also partnered earlier this year on a student project as part of the CTI’s iProjects program.

The student team is developing a Self-Contained Outpost (SCOP) that can support the needs of around 25 soldiers for up to 90 days. The SCOP is completely self-sufficient and uses solar panels to generate electricity to low-power appliances and a water purification system.

“Arizona and ASU are home to a number of research and commercial interests with the ability to address challenges in energy, security and defense,” said Montoya. “Our partnership with General Dynamics is one of example of how we partner with industry leaders to tackle real-world programs that have global impact.”

Attracting more young women to the business world

March 7, 2012

While recent attention has focused on bringing more women into the fields of science, technology and engineering, many people may not realize we’re seeing a similar issue in the world of business, when it comes to a few specific fields, such as finance, computer information systems and economics. That’s why the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University is hosting a special event this week.

“We want to make young women aware of the opportunities in all sectors of business,” says Amy Hillman, W. P. Carey School of Business executive dean. “It’s important to dispel the myth that certain business areas are more oriented toward men. We work with recruiters from top companies all the time, and they continue to tell us they want more female candidates for the jobs they have open.” Executive Dean Amy Hillman Download Full Image

Intel is the primary sponsor of the W. P. Carey School’s “Young Women in Business Forum,” March 9. About 200 college students, plus students from at least 10 local high schools are planning to attend. Groups from Maricopa High School, Chandler High School, Mountain Pointe High School, Thunderbird High School and Marcos de Niza High School are being bussed to the event, in which 250 to 300 students total are expected to participate.

“This is a chance for young women who aren’t sure what they want to do for a living to learn more about some of the most popular business fields out there,” says Tim Desch, assistant dean for undergraduate admissions at the W. P. Carey School of Business. “For example, we have an incredible job-placement rate for our nationally renowned supply chain management program, but high school students may not even know much about that particular field.”

In addition, the event will include seminars about issues that can be especially important to women in the workplace, such as work-life balance and mentoring.

“Our top employers emphasize that women bring tremendous value and diverse viewpoints to their organizations, especially in areas that have been male-dominated in the past,” says Hillman. “We want to help young women find the motivation to enter these fields and provide them with the tools to succeed.”

The forum will be held at Arizona State University’s Tempe campus in the Memorial Union from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., March 9. For more information or to register for the “Young Women in Business Forum,” contact Amy Ahlstromer at (480) 965-0696 or Amy.Ahlstromer@asu.edu.