As Iowa State re-engineers engineering education and the learning process, one of the key elements is development of 50 strategic partners. Partnership activities include faculty and executive exchanges, scholarships and gifts, joint research projects, co-op and intern programs, recruitment of our graduates, and members on college and departmental industrial advisory councils. I look at the full spectrum of involvement and try to build the relationship to include all of these aspects.
Partnerships align the college's needs and resources with industry's.
It's a two-way street. And they certainly have resources that can help us meet our goals. The college works closely with research centers like the Iowa Center for Emerging Manufacturing Technology and outreach centers like the Center for Industrial Research and Service to coordinate partnering efforts. It's all tied directly into improving the learning experience of students and to producing better graduates who are more in tune with industry.