New collaborative provides entry point for tech industry

The College of Technology and Innovation at ASU's Polytechnic campus provides a variety of engagement opportunities for industry like research and technological solutions, sponsored instructional projects for student teams, and workforce development classes.  In addition, the college engages in outreach efforts for professional, educational and community organizations. 

To help manage all of those interactions and activities, the college recently established the Innovation & Technology Collaboratory (ITC). The collaboratory is the umbrella organization or gateway for industry and the community to readily access everything the college offers, from partner solutions and instructional projects to professional development and community engagement.

“As examples, companies have worked with our college through the Advanced Technology Innovation Center (ATIC) for small- to medium-enterprise technological solutions, the Office of Environmental Technology for training and certification, and the GlobalResolve initiative on social entrepreneurship in underdeveloped nations,” says Mitzi Montoya, executive dean for the college. 

“It can be confusing for people to know who to call when they want to work with the university. By organizing the college’s assets in ITC, we have made it easier for the community and industry to work with us, while also achieving efficiencies through streamlined processes, shared services and best practices,” says Montoya.

The collaboratory has many exciting plans for the future. Through operations like ATIC, the Laboratory for Algae Research and Biotechnology, a photo studio and the Print and Imaging Lab, the collaboratory will be able to provide consulting and proof of concept services, applied research and product prototypes.

Additional opportunities for faculty, students and industry to work together on projects that give students hands-on experience, a cornerstone of the college’s polytechnic vision, will be sought.

Several professional development programs for working adults will continue, but there are plans to expand existing offerings in several unique facilities like the altitude chamber and flight simulators, as well as develop programs in technological entrepreneurship and innovation management.

And plans to move beyond working with high school students and reach further back into the pipeline to include opportunities for K-8 students will also be explored.

While all of these efforts collectively enhance the core mission of the college to educate its students and have an impact on the community, the Innovation & Technology Collaboratory will aid in making it easier to do so.

“ITC allows us to meet the needs of industry and community partners, while advancing the education and scholarship goals of the college,” says Montoya. 

The collaboratory will be located in the Classroom Building at ASU Polytechnic and will have project work space and office space that will bring together students, faculty and ITC partners in a dynamic environment for interactive innovation and learning.

To learn more, call (480) 727-5433, email technology@asu.edu or visit http://technology.asu.edu.

Media contact:
Chris Lambrakis
480/727-1173, 602/316-5616, lambrakis@asu.edu