International Technological University
Volume III, Issue 3, Summer 2013
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Accomplishments
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The roots of true achievement lie in the will to become the best that you can become.
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-Harold Taylor
No one told you that you couldn’t!
Data Quality: An ongoing challenge
Graduation
By Richard Winn, Ph.D.
By Ramesh Konda, Ph.D.
When I was in college, I fell in with the wrong crowd.
Creating and maintaining a highly integrated, high-quality information system (or database) is a key success factor for organizations. Typically, data is collected through various systems to support coherent and aggregate decision-making. PG. However ineffective or lacking processes may result in ‘Garbage In, Garbage Out’.
It’s not that we were doing drugs or stealing exams. We were making good grades and leading almost every form of PG. student government. Even some faculty, under raised eyebrows, allowed that we were good people.
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9:00 AM, Sunny 90° Friday, May 3, 2013 Heritage Theatre Campbell, CA
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Volume III, Issue 3, Summer 2013
Dear Graduates, You did it!!
What’s Inside
It is the time of the year we all know and love: graduation. Friday, May 3rd is a memorable day for all of you. At graduation, it is the end, but at the same time, it is the beginning.
Every summer the Journal celebrates graduation. If you missed the ceremony, you may read Sarah-Lynn Brunner’s commencement article. A poem describes the ceremony with cheerful images and metaphors.
Looking back, you remember what you have learned. Looking forward, you will apply that learning. Your bright future is ahead of you. It starts with your first step at graduation. ITU considers your graduation ceremony an extremely exciting event. We see the happiness of graduates walking together, with pride, wearing their ITU regalia. At graduation we recognize your accomplishments in public; it is a moment of mutual pride. It is also a great time of personal pleasure and satisfaction for you, your family, your teachers, your friends, and the staff who have advised and guided you during your time at ITU. We know that as you approach your graduation ceremony, you remember your beginning at ITU--the time you first stepped into the university. But graduation is unforgettable in that it’s the day you finish your education and are ready to walk out into the world and to make your work decisions. It is when your hard work pays off. Certainly graduation is a tremendous and touching moment filled with pleasure, amusement, hugs, smiles, pictures, hats thrown high toward the sky, and tears of happiness. The journey that you began when you stepped through the university doors finally reaches its destination. My dear graduates, the day of your graduation is not the end. It is the start of a new journey. You will find not only new opportunities and experiences along the way, but also failures. Learn from all of them. Don’t be scared of challenges; take the risks and discover all the opportunities available tomorrow. With the knowledge you gained during your studies, I am sure you will have success in your life. Now, after graduation comes the next chapter of life. Continue your good work. Never stop learning! Congratulations to all the students of class 2013! I wish you the best of luck for your life ahead. Amal Mougharbel, Ph.D.
The speech “No one told you that you couldn’t do it!” from Dr. Richard Winn, Executive Director of WASC, describes the road to success for graduates, reflecting on his own experience and ITU’s accomplishments. Dr. Winn’s speech highlights new adventures—with all the risks and opportunities. Student Qiwen Xia, a.k.a. Michael, wrote that talking to ITU people convinces him of its friendly environment. “Graduates Voice Their Thoughts,” describes the students’ experience at ITU. You’ll read about students’ happy and joyful feelings after graduation from an accredited university. “AWESOME,” “great time,” and “amazing” show the delight in their special day. ITU’s friendly environment encourages staff and students to return back to ITU, which is behind the story “It’s Exciting to Rejoin HR!” The happiness continues with “Becoming A CQPA,” “ITU’s AI Research Featured at Conference” and “About ITU’s Electrical Engineering Research Program” -- all examples of this continuity. President Yau-Gene Chan writes the final article on a great achievement. WASC’s Executive Committee voted to move up the effective date of ITU’s accreditation to December 1, 2012.
Congratulations everyone! Business Administration Department Chair Editor in Chief, ITU Journal
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Commencement highlights
By Sarah-Lynn Brunner, Career and Student Services Coordinator
The ITU 2013 commencement ceremony was a memorable event for the ITU faculty, staff, graduates, their family and friends. Commencement was held on Friday, May 3rd at the beautiful Heritage Theater, located in downtown Campbell, California. Family and friends of the graduating class filled the theater with cheers, as they celebrated their fellow graduates. The ceremony opened with a warm welcoming speech from ITU’s president, Mr. Yau-Gene Chan. Following his speech was an outstanding performance of the “Star Spangled Banner” sung by ITU staff member, David Kim. As a WASC accredited graduate school, ITU was very grateful to have Dr. Richard Winn as our keynote speaker. He is currently the WASC Executive Director. And for our student speaker, ITU’ s Student Government President, Qiwen Xia gave a heartfelt speech touching on his first experience at ITU, as well as his journey to receiving his Master’s degree. After the speeches, several awards were given out. The Distinguished Faculty Award went to Professor Barbara Arnoldussen, and the Staff Appreciation Award was given to IT Manager, Kranthi Kumar Lammatha. Then it was time for the graduates to receive their diplomas. They came from four different programs: Software Engineer, Engineer Management, Business Administration, and Computer Science. The graduation ended as graduates walked over to the reception room to enjoy food and drinks with their family and friends, and mingle with ITU’s faculty and staff. Many pictures were taken, flowers were given, and caps were flying in the air. Congratulations to the graduating class of 2013!
Albina Pereira has a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Mumbai University. She is currently pursing an MBA degree with ITU and wants to major in Marketing.
A new Beginning By Albina Pereira
New milestones to embark, new goals to achieve, Their hard work had paid off, and they had a degree to receive, A joyful and eventful ceremony, with a super enthusiastic crowd, With all the cheering and clapping, they were all on the highest cloud, The theatre was filled with family and friends, It was a victory for everyone, as if they weren’t building castles on sands. Proud eyes of their parents rejoiced, when they saw their own, Their prayers had paid off, as the children outshone, The whole event was a delightful watch, Students had triumphed and were glowing like a lighted torch, Time just flew listening to motivating speeches and testimonies, The students were taking back great words of advice and wonderful memories. An aura of positive energy surrounded the entire theatre, The warmth engulfed each and every spectator, The entire event was emotional and overwhelming, Care, love and happiness was overpowering, The orators and spectators had an amazing time, Everyone joined the celebration, as the students crossed their first mile.
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At age 34, I began a project that would consume the next ten years of my life. I decided, along with a typical gang of visionaries, to start a college. Because no one told me that I couldn’t, I set out to buy property, design curriculum, hire faculty, get collections in the library, pay bills, recruit students with the promise of providing a distinctive form of education, even repair the historic buildings and upgrade the water system. It worked and continues to function to this day. This bold adventure left a permanent stamp on my soul… because no one told me that I couldn’t build it.
No one told you that you couldn’t! Continued from pg 1.
Eventually, I arrived at Western Association of Schools and Colleges, or WASC. One of my assignments was processing applicants for institutions seeking accreditation for the first time. It was a fascinating role, bringing me into close contact with fledgling institutions with no track record – just big dreams and lots of enthusiasm. Thus one day in early 2007, I got a phone call from someone who wanted to meet me urgently at my office. Four people came to the WASC office to tell their story about creating a university. They described this tiny, nearly bankrupt institution, with a few dozen students, operating in the storefront of a little industrial park in the shadow of Silicon Valley. They wanted to offer solid degrees in technology, they said. Based on the dreams of the young president sitting across the table from me, they wanted to seek WASC accreditation.
Dr. Richard Winn Keynote speaker Executive Director for ACSCU/WASC
But when we saw some aspect of the university as unhappy, dated, or irrelevant, we set out to change it. Sometimes our projects were painfully naïve. Like the time we decided that the Board didn’t get how unfit the college president was for the job. We gave the Board Chair a list of grievances. I still remember the shouted and stinging rebuke designed just for us, as we slunk out of his hotel room.
I looked this earnest young president in the face, still wrapping my tongue around the name, Yau-Gene. Did he have experience in higher education leadership? No. But he’d been an actor in Hollywood. Did he have a big bankroll? No, but he could mortgage his dad’s house. Did he have a track record of successful graduates? Well, not to his credit, but his dad had produced fabulous graduates who had gone on to great achievements founding and leading noted Silicon Valley companies. Likely story. Oh, and yes, many of these former students were so grateful for their education that they came back to ITU and volunteered as faculty. This was the last straw!
Other outcomes were productive. We determined that the campus swimming pool was dilapidated. So we formed campaign “Get in the Splash,” and raised enough money to build a new Olympic-sized pool. Late one evening, after a major “let’s change society” campaign, several of us slowed down sufficiently to ask why we were so involved in these projects. We were candid about our ego needs, our drive to test our mettle, or gain some additional attention from any young ladies who had hero-worship instincts. But one of my buddies, trying to be flippant, said “It’s because no one ever told us that we couldn’t.”
All of my instincts were crying out, “Don’t give this earnest young man false hopes. Don’t waste the time and money of these dreamers; don’t let them face disappointment and loss. Don’t ignore the experience of many other idealistic dreamers who had died on the hill of WASC accreditation.”
Years later, that phrase came back to me again: “No one said that I couldn’t.” It rang in my soul like a clear bell and I found myself referencing it often. Should I begin a doctoral program at a major university? Why not? No one said that I couldn’t.
Then, slowly, a faint voice from the past began to surface in my brain. I listened even more carefully to Yau and I caught
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the faint melodies of an earlier theme. It slowly began to dawn on me: No one had told Yau that he couldn’t do it! Quietly hoping that I would not eat my words, I described the steps forward and urged them to embark on the multiyear project of bringing ITU into full, informed, sustained compliance with WASC standards.
technological galaxies where no man has gone before; some of your casual conversations will explode into potential partnerships with other bright innovators that will confront you with the need to risk it all! Your pulse will quicken. Your palms will become moist. You will lose sleep, be distracted from common things. Your boyfriend will think you are having an affair, or your girlfriend will wonder of you’ve lost your wallet. But, in fact, you will be counting down backwards (5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1) to the dropping of the green flag, the flash of the starter pistol, as you prepare to launch some great adventure.
And the dream has just begun to unfold. Visions of expanded programs, global outreach, continued growth of an amazing faculty, increased recognition in both Silicon Valley and beyond. And I stand back, watching, so glad I held my tongue in 2007; so glad that I didn’t tell Yau that he couldn’t do it! But this event today is not about me, and my stories of crazy youthful adventures. To be clear, it’s not even about your visionary leader, Yau-Gene, or about your amazing faculty and staff. This event is about you: the ITU class of May 2013.
And this will be the moment when you must recall one thing: “No one told you that you couldn’t!”
The fact that I have been around so many decades gives me no advantage in understanding the world with which you now engage. More clearly than I ever could, you know the enormous opportunities spread before you, the exploding range of delightful challenges, the technology pathways completely unknown to your peers from even a few years ago.
Dr. Richard Winn is the Executive Director for the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACSCU/ WASC). He joined WASC as a Vice President in 2003.
You know the blinding pace of change – in your disciplines, in the language and terminology you use to probe your discipline, and in the social and economic context within which you will fulfill your dreams. Your world is best described by the New Yorker cartoon, in which a businessman returns to his office from a lunch break. His assistant meets him at his desk with a sheet of paper and says, “Here, sir, is a list of the paradigms that have shifted while you were out.”
Dr. Winn, one of the world’s leading authorities on quality assessment and accreditation, has consulted and presented extensively in the US and globally. He served three terms as a Member, Board of Examiners, for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. Dr. Winn earned a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from The University of La Verne. He also serves as a member of The Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA).
You bring to this moment a sense of fine personal achievement, one that arises from years of discipline, sacrifice, and reaching for a goal you have not yet grasped. You have learned new things about your own capacities and your limits. You will have explored previously unknown ranges of emotion – from enormous pleasure to sheer frustration. You have begun some new relationships and stepped away from others. You are not the same people that you were when you began your studies at ITU; you will spend years discovering how deeply this is so! And so now, with an ITU diploma in your hands, you will face choices. Now, more than ever, you will face doorways begging for you to enter, pathways to new adventures not previously available to you. You will be invited to take risks. You will discern, on your own, amazing inventions that must be created now; you will glimpse
As Executive Director and Vice President of WASC, Dr. Winn is an advocate and guide to emerging institutions of higher learning. He was ITU’s WASC Commission advisor mentor during its six-year accreditation process. Dr. Winn’s gentle and wise guidance helped ITU strengthen its infrastructure, assessment and academic policies on its WASC accreditation journey.
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Volume III, Issue 3, Summer 2013
Graduates: Continue the ITU Dream
engineer, an educator, a community builder and as a husband. But he was an amazing father.
By Yau-Gene Chan,
He raised two children: Yau-Gene and his sister Charlene. His legacy is reflected with Yau and then with ITU. The same love and care he provided his children and wife he likewise extended to his colleagues and graduates.
ITU President and CEO
I am always looking forward to the successes that you graduates will find in your lives and how you represent the University -- it is exciting. First, I want to acknowledge your hard work and your dedication. Secondly, I acknowledge the memorial, to remember the life of my father Dr. Shu-Park Chan who founded the University. Thirdly, I celebrate the fact that ITU has come into its own with WASC accreditation. We are very lucky today because this is a deep celebration of all three of those events. Lastly, I congratulate you all for graduating.
When I first joined in 2005 Dr. Chan was very active at ITU. In the very first seminar class each semester he would be the guest speaker and would get to know every student. That was his personality; he was in touch and was very caring. One of the mottos he would present to all the students was “Respect your profession and be a good team player.” Those two messages are the ones we should use as guiding philosophies to help us through any hardship in life.
Student Graduation Speaker
You are marked forever to be ITU graduates--ITU alumni. What does it really mean to be a permanent part of the ITU family? Today is significant; I am speaking for my dad and my grandfather. ITU was created with a dream, a sheer dream from all of us to make a better world. I believe that now you as an ITU graduate carry the spirit, the heart of the dream to make and contribute to the world. You will leave the world a better place --better than the way you found it. So now as you have a platform with your graduate degree -- dream big. Dreaming means you close your eyes and you have no limits. You can do anything to create the best world, the best possible results from your heart, from your soul. Make that dream a reality -- let it come into focus. And remember stay positive because you never lose until you quit.
By Qiwen Xia
Please call me “Michael.” I send a special thank you to all our parents, husbands, and wives, children, and friends for your wonderful job helping us get this far! Personally, I’d like to thank my parents. You both have always been such an inspiration to me, and have always been there in times of need. Let’s appreciate our president, Mr. Yau-Gene Chan! And thank you to all of faculty and staff. Many thanks for Sara Javid, she gave me a warm introduction, when I first visited ITU campus. Also Dr. May and Dr. Amal gave me very kindly talk. Many thanks for Dr. Liz, she’s patient and helped me to analyze my case. Special thanks for Sarah-Lynn, Alex, and Joel with Student Success Center! I appreciate being the student government president, and to work with you. Thanks for Dr. O’Brien and Hubert, you always encourage me!
Remembering Professor Shu-Park Chan By Mikel Duffy, Associate Director of Innovation
This is the first graduation that we’ve had since receiving WASC accreditation. It’s also unfortunately the first since our founder Dr. Shu-Park Chan has passed. His vision, his spirit, his hearty applause is here with you graduates -- congratulations. What comes to mind for me about Dr. Chan’s life was his dedication to being a loving husband and father. His passion was as an
Today, we receive flowers, applause, and champagne… but it’s not the end; it’s a new start to a new beginning.
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Graduates pour out their thoughts and share their experience with us: Here is what our graduates have to say about ITU. Graduates Voice Their Thoughts
Other Voices
Vasu Goud, who works with Genesis Software Solutions, says he is very excited to receive his first Master’s degree from ITU after accreditation, and has loved the journey so far.
Another student says he is thrilled to graduate in the first group from accredited ITU; this school has a lot of internships and its academics are great.
Manickya Dampala, who is currently working as a
A Software Engineer graduate at ITU is thankful to his professors, as they took a keen interest in enhancing his skills to help him better his job. He got a job right after graduating and says his entire experience was incredible.
Radhika Rayeekanti, who is a Student Representative
One student says that ITU is a wonderful University and liked when it located in downtown San Jose. He feels lucky to be a part of ITU.
Heena Selia, an MBA student, is feeling great and proud
Lastly, one student says he had a great experience pursuing his Master’s from ITU, the professors are very knowledgeable and are concerned about each and every student.
Front End Developer, loved the way the Professors taught. She is very proud and happy to tell her friends and family about graduating from an accredited university.
at ITU, said she was very happy with the faculty and the entire ITU team--they were very friendly and supportive. about graduating, especially after ITU has been accredited.
Raghav Jakkani, a Software Engineer, says he loved his experience with ITU and the friendly environment. The accreditation gives an added advantage to his degree.
sure data consistency and completeness. • Truth – As a quality check and strategy, consider use cases / historical sample data to evaluate correctness. • Coherent –Data is merged from disparate sources; using dimension keys, the system should build coherent data--critical for analysis and for building aggregates. • Audit and Continuous improvement – As an independent program, incorporate an automated data audit.
Data Quality: An ongoing challenge Dr. Ramesh Konda presented at an American Society for Quality (ASQ), Silicon Valley section dinner meeting on May 15, 2013. Continued from pg 1.
The main determinants of Data Quality (DQ) are accuracy, completeness, timeliness, integrity, consistency, conformity, and record duplication.
Data systems should provide a “single version of the truth” with high data reliability and quality.
Dr. Ramesh Konda, and Dr. Rao Nemani, proposed a Four-Prong Data Quality Management Model for defining and ensuring data quality:
Nemani, R., and Konda, R. (2009). A Framework for Data Quality in Data Warehousing. Proceedings of United Information Systems Conference, pp. 292-297.
• Basics –Any IT system must first en-
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Volume III, Issue 3, Summer 2013
ITU welcomes new Human Resources Director
Chinese Consulate Visitors
In January 2013 Ron Mortenson joined ITU. He brings over 20 years experience as a Human Resources (HR) Professional. He is highly knowledgeable in all areas of Human Resources in the public and private sector.
By Matthew Jin
Prior to ITU, Ron worked 9 years in the County of Monterey as a Senior Personnel Analyst, County Welfare Office. There were 850 full time employees and about 100 temporary workers. His previous 10 years were spent at several Silicon Valley startups including Burntsand, a custom software development firm where Ron was the Director of Human Resources; Cypress Human Resources, a technical recruiting firm co-founded by Ron; and Application Resources, a techni-
It’s Exciting to Rejoin HR! By Lei Liang, HR Assistant
My experience at ITU began in 2008. I landed a job processing student applications and generating Certificates of Eligibility for Non-immigrant Students (Form I-20). ITU was small, with less than 20 employees. There was no HR, Accounting, nor Operations Departments. In a short period of time, ITU made remarkable progress and acquired WASC Accreditation. ITU is different because it embraces change and continuously seeks feedback from its employees to improve. Its philosophy, purpose and commitment
cal Recruiting firm headquartered in San Francisco. Ron also has an extensive background in sales, his first career, selling high tech products and services to many Silicon Valley companies. When Ron is not being the HR guy, he is an accomplished guitar player, with over 40 years playing and performing experience. Ron plays guitar regularly at church and other corporate functions. In Feburary 2013, Ron demonstrated his musical ability in the ITU Talent show, to great applause. Ron enjoys taking daily walks, riding his bike, and swimming in his backyard pool. “I really feel at home at ITU. I think I started here at the right time and look forward to assisting the entire staff as we all grow together.”
create a unique culture to foster the university’s success. ITU is growing and acquiring more talented individuals to be a part of its extraordinary team. In HR, I have the opportunity to support and work with every individual within the organization. I am passionate about helping people - and marrying the intricacies of business strategy with employees. This year, the HR Department has grown and become more involved in strategic planning. It is the perfect time to be back at ITU. The success of ITU is not due to a single individual, but to hard work and dedication from all employees. ITU has truly blossomed into one of Silicon Valley’s success stories.
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L to R: Matthew Jin, 徐永吉 (Xu, Yongji) counselor, Liz Li Ph.D, May Huang Ph.D, 黄玉如 (Annie Y. Y.Wong) Hong Kong Tak Ming Alumni General Director, 关海强 (Guan,Haiqiang) consul
The Chief Education Consul and Deputy Education Consul from the Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco visited the ITU campus on May 3rd, 2013, and met with Dr. Liz Li, ITU Chief Academic Officer and Dr. May Huang, Chair of Electrical Engineering Department. The visitors toured ITU’s Artificial Intelligence Research Lab (AI-RL), its Bioelectronics Research Lab (BE-RL), and attended its 2013 Commencement Ceremony. The AI-RL team presented the evolution of ITU mobile robots: groundbased robots designed to reconstruct a 2D/3D environment while autonomously navigating through unknown indoor environments. The team also demonstrated new technology, which allows users to control a digital information board with gestures, rather than remotes. The BE-RL team also did a demo of a project designed for medical industry demands. This project uses MEMS sensor designs, control-circuit and low power circuit designs for a non skinprick, (in-vivo) method to monitor glucose concentrations. One research characteristic has been to monitor patient status using popular Bluetooth devices with an iPhone.
Volume III, Issue 3, Summer 2013
ITU’s AI Research Featured at Conference
Did You Know?
By Matthew Jin
Hu Xu, Lei Shu and Dr. May Huang have authored a paper, “Planning Paths with Fewer Turns on Grid Maps,” presented at the July 2013 Sixth Annual Symposium on Combinatorial Search (SoCS 2013), in Washington. The conference, in cooperation with the Association for Advancement in Artificial Intelligence (AAAI), focused on Heuristic search and combinatorial optimization and the “currently very active areas of research in Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Planning and other areas of Computer Science.” The paper emphasized original AI research on a heuristic search algorithm, called Link*, that returns any-angle paths containing minor turns. The team applied the algorithm to a robot for path planning with reduced control complexity.
MBA in Digital Media Management, Fall 2013 ITU will begin offering classes through a joint program from both the Business and Digital Art departments. The MBA in Digital Media Management program targets students with career interests in Digital Art and Business. This distinctive degree combines business theories with travel study for building a business in the international art world. MBA in Digital Media Management graduates will be trained for different arts careers, shaping the next generation of art managers.
Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
Hu Xu
The DBA program has a new structure, beginning Fall 2013. It will emphasize three concentrations: Global Business, Entrepreneurship, and a Customized DBA. Students in Global Business or Entrepreneurship will complete 12 units from selected concentration courses. Students who complete 12 units from both will graduate with a customized DBA.
Lei Shu
ITU’s Electrical engineering Research Program By Matthew Jin
The ITU research labs combine the advantages of computer algorithms with integrated circuit designs to develop solid, optimized systems. The program is associated with the ITU Electrical Engineering Department, in conjunction with the Peking University School of Software and Microelectronics. This stimulating environment allows ITU graduate students, faculty members and international collaborators to pursue a wide spectrum of research studies. The team has many unique hands-on projects for intelligent systems, with lab students contributing research papers to national or international conferences and academic journals.
L-R: Xuan Wang, Jingpeng Zhang, Chen Yang, Dr. May Huang, Fan Zhao, Yenchun Yeh, Xu Guo, Sheng Yang
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Online Courses Higher-education institutions are developing high-quality online programs and curriculum. ITU will provide online classes for the first time in Fall 2013. These courses give students flexibility, accessibility, and cost efficiency.
Business Statistics ITU will offer a new course in statistics taught by Dr. John Flaig. He will use Ken Black’s 6th edition textbook Business Statistics For Contemporary Decision Making which features: a) video tutorial assistance on key topics, b) a tree taxonomy diagram illustrating connections to help pick the correct technique to solve problems, and c) new content organization.
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Enhancing Business Administration with Engineering and thought processes of science and engineering.
By John Flaig, Ph.D.
Does exposing students in business administration to engineering tools and concepts make any sense? On the surface, it might seem a waste of time and energy. But upon careful consideration, the profound benefits of understanding the quantitative analytic tools of the engineering profession gives business professionals huge advantages in the high technology workplace.
You can see this communication breakdown in the disparaging words used by the different groups. The engineers refer to business management as “bean counters,” implying they have no feeling for the product. On the other hand, business managers refer to engineers as “gear heads or geeks,” implying that they are out of touch with reality. Actually, neither comment is true or helpful. This failure of understanding is a major contributor to organizational failure. I think the best way to overcome the problem is cross-training. That’s where ITU excels!
Engineers are often told that to communicate effectively in the world of business, they need to speak the language of business (i.e., finance and economics). However, the opposite is also true. In order for business management to communicate effectively with the engineering world, they must understand the basic tools
Dr. Flaig is a Fellow of the American Society for quality (ASQ). He joined ITU’s Industry Advisory Board in 2012.
Becoming A Certified Quality Process Analyst (CQPA) By Charles Chen, Ph.D.
Dr. Charles Chen has more than 15 years of industrial experience in research development, new product introduction, and product quality control. He received his B.S. from National Taiwan University, and his Ph.D. from UC-Berkeley. Dr. Chen is a certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt, and holds 12 American Society for Quality certificates.
Leo Fung (second from right) pictured with Dr. Chen (fifth from left) and his classmates.
After completing Dr. Chen’s course, ITU accounting staff Leo Fung passed the formal CQPA exam. Congratulations, Leo!
ITU provided its students a competitive edge by integrating ASQ’s CQPA certification preparation with the regular MBA Quality Control Management course. Dr. Charles Chen, who has earned 12 ASQ certificates, teaches that course. Candidates for the CQPA credential typically work as quality engineers or more senior professionals in quality improvement. The certification preparation is also ideal for fresh college graduates or graduate students who want to develop their quality professional careers.
Results can be viewed at this link: http://prdweb.asq.org/certification/control/pass-lists/index
The ITU CQPA preparation course covered: • Quality basics • Problem solving and improvement • Data analysis • Customer-supplier relationships
Leo Fung
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“I received a B.S. in Finance from SJSU in 2009. I joined ITU on March 1st, 2012 as a Staff Accountant, and I am very proud to have passed my first professional certification. I am very glad ITU offers certificate courses in its curriculum, and I hope to complete my MBA at ITU, and eventually continue on to earn a CPA certification.”
Volume III, Issue 3, Summer 2013
New Healthcare technology presentation Professor Barbara Arnoldussen presented at the Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP) Annual Infection Prevention & Safety Symposium in San Diego on June 15, 2013. She described the currently available technological solutions to increase hand hygiene compliance, and included information on the equipment (the set-up, the training and the process). She addressed these questions: What are the financial implications, both of purchase and of further cost savings? Does it make a significant difference in compliance? Does it make a difference in patient outcomes? Are data being collected and analyzed about staff and patient satisfaction? The presentation included answers that showed the unique contribution technology can make to meet important healthcare goals.
Business department chair lectures in digital arts class By Amal Mougharbel, Ph.D.
On June 1, 2013, I was a guest lecturer in the Global Storytelling class. This invitation is an example of collaboration between the Business and Digital Art Departments. My lecture was on the origin of Fables and the lessons behind each tale. Fables originated in the 3rd Century BCE and were written by many authors, translators, and scholars. Their intent is to create “frank political expression;” each story finishes with a moral. Fables mirror existing intellectual concerns, and belief in ethics. They may present life ironically or observe different social natures, aspirations, vices, and virtues.
THE FOX, MONKEY, AND OTHER ANIMALS By Amal Mougharbel, Ph.D.
ITU considers its graduates to be the future leaders. Leadership is covered in the French fabulist Jean De La Fontaine’s fables. Even in very early versions, each tale had a moral: how to act correctly or how to live your life. In fact, many fables begin with a guiding frame-story topic, suggesting key aspects of leadership. The moral of Jean De La Fontaine’s fable, The Fox, The Monkey, And Other Animals (1668) is: The right leader is proven by his/her qualities. The Fox, Monkey, And Other Animals The beasts assembled when they found The Lion dead, prince of the plains around. To choose a king to rule them in his stead, The crown was taken from its case, Which by the guardian dragon had been hid. It did not fit the suitors for the place; It was too large for every big-shaped head. A few had horns, and some had heads too small. The monkey grinning tried to please them all, Put on the crown with pleasant face, ’Midst many an antic and grimace. And then, with many an apish stoop, Passed through the crown as through a hoop. The beasts, quite pleased with the whole thing, Did homage to him as their king. Alone the fox deplored his vote that day, Yet nathless he his thoughts did not betray. He
paid his little compliment and said: “Sire, I know where some hidden treasure’s laid— A treasure, Sire, to all but me unknown, Which, Prince, by royal right is now your own.” The King, who gaped for gold, the tale, believed, Ran to the spot lest he should be deceived, But found a snare, and thus was caught. “What! said the fox, “who would have thought That you would claim o’er us to rule, You cannot guide yourself, vain fool?” He was dethroned; the beasts with one accord Agreed that few were fit to be their lord.
Success Centers for Business Students By Charitha Valluri
The ITU Student Success and Career Center (SSCC) serves as a bridge between education and employment, providing students with the tools necessary to succeed in their careers. In the Spring 2013 semester the Business Department joined with SSCC to create the Student Success for Academic Achievement program (SSAA) as a helping hand for Business Department students. The program was developed to ensure student success throughout graduate school. The SSAA collaborates with staff and faculty to assist students by identifying academic opportunities for growth. Students meet with advisors to overcome challenges and stay on track for the semester. They can receive assistance in the form of encouragement, writing or language skill development, or support for planning and decision-making. Any questions? Contact Alex Pena at the Student Success and Career Center, or the SSAA team at ssaa@itu.edu.
Thanks to http://www.la-fontaine-ch-thierry.net/sixcockeroldma.htm Alex Pena
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International Technological University
team Editor-in-Chief: Amal Mougharbel Ph.D. Manager: Hubert Chang Editorial Board: Barbara Arnoldussen Patricia Wiggin Coordinator: Charitha Valluri Contributors: Charles Chen, Ph.D. John Flaig, Ph.D. Ramesh Konda, Ph.D. Richard Winn, Ph.D. Sarah-Lynn Brunner Yau-Gene Chan Mikel Duffy Leo Fung Matthew Jin Lei Liang Ron Mortensen Carmelita Omran Albina Pereira Qiwen Xia Graduate Students Designer: Kathia Rubi
“Global Development through Silicon Valley Education” International Technological University 355 W. San Fernando Street San Jose, CA 95113 www.itu.edu
The views expressed in articles are those of the writers only and not of ITU. ITU Journal is not responsible for accuracy of information cited in the news and events. The Editorial Board reserves the right to edit submissions, with contributions capped at 300 words. Plagiarized submissions will be discarded.
Volume III, Issue 3, Summer 2013
ITU’s Got Talent By Carmelita Omran
Last semester, I had the wonderful opportunity to watch and participate at the ITU Talent Show, which is more like a “cultural show.” The show highlighted different performers: cultural dancers, a variety of singers from operatic to rap, a poet, and people playing instruments. The show’s organizing team put a lot of thought in every detail of the event. The lineup was entertaining, energetic, and surprising. I decided to participate not to win the prize, but because I wanted to enjoy the fun fare. Most of all, I
wanted to be seen as “humanized” by the students. I want my students to perceive me not only as an accounting professor but also as an ordinary person who enjoys music, dance, and informal social gatherings--just as they do. This is probably the only time my students will see me in a different character. I chose to sing a couple of songs and invited my Cost Accounting students. They did not hesitate to participate – but eagerly teamed up and practiced for about 20 minutes, and then gladly took the stage with me. The show was a success and I believe this type of informal school gathering develops and augments bonding for cohorts and staff. These memorable events promote and enhance progressive and collaborative learning for the students, and create a comfortable university environment.
December 2012 Degrees Qualify Under WASC Accreditation May 17, 2013 Dear December 2012 Graduating Class, I am pleased to announce that the Executive Committee of the WASC Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities (ACSCU) has unanimously voted to move up the effective date of ITU’s WASC accreditation to December 1, 2012. This is a rare and exceptional move by the Commission, done at ITU’s request. As a result, the degrees earned in December of 2012 will be recognized as within our period of accreditation. We are pleased to inform you that the Master’s degree you received from ITU in December 2012 is a WASC-accredited graduate degree! This change will appear shortly on the WASC Website and will be indicated on all transcripts provided for you. It was not within ITU’s or WASC’s power to extend this accreditation back any farther. But ITU made the case on your behalf that our students completed all of their requirements for the degree after the completion of the WASC site-visit report. Based on this request, the WASC Commission did all they could to see that your hard work would be recognized with a WASC-accredited degree. Be proud of your accomplishments and degree. Please stay connected to ITU. If we can be of assistance as you advance in your career, let us know. Congratulations to the December 2012 graduating class! Sincerely, Yau-Gene Chan, President and CEO
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ISSN: 2161-8054