SEAS Hosts 2nd Training Program for Industrial Leaders

Twenty-four industrial managers from China and Taiwan convened at GW for a four-week training program hosted by SEAS in November and December 2003. This marked the second year of the Training Program for China Manufacturing and Technology Leaders, which is supported by the Chiang Chen Industrial Charity Foundation of Hong Kong. The program teaches manufacturing technology and management practices to mid- and upper-level managers in a variety of industries.

During the program, the trainees worked with several professors from the SEAS Department of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering and two experts from local businesses. Among the topics covered were: global manufacturing and the World Trade Organization, taught by Dr. Kam Lau of Automated Precision, Inc. (API); quality control, taught by Professor Rene van Dorp; case studies of American manufacturers, taught by Professor Marvine Hamner; project management, taught by Professor Howard Eisner; management of technical organizations, taught by Professor Robert Waters; management of e-commerce technologies, taught by Professor Theresa Jefferson; and intellectual property law, taught by Dr. Mardson McQuay, a patent attorney.

Trainees also toured the Hughes Network Systems manufacturing plant, courtesy of SEAS alumnus Pradman Kaul, and the API manufacturing facilities. In addition to their coursework, the trainees also experienced American culture through a variety of activities. These included attending a live taping of CNN’s “Crossfire” program and a Washington Wizards basketball game, visiting many of the museums and cultural sites in Washington, D.C., and participating in a business networking session with local business leaders who have connections to China and Taiwan. The program ended with a scenic boat cruise on the Potomac River.