Finding talent, or figuring out what to do with it, is getting easier at the University of Michigan.
The Business Engagement Center, just launched in the Galleria Building at 1214 S. University Ave., is streamlining the process for finding and utilizing the high-tech assets and talents of the university. It will provide one-stop shopping for businesses seeking student talent, university expertise, professional development for employees and research partnerships.
"Our objective is to make our large and complicated university more 'user friendly' in such a way that the U-M can have the maximum impact and influence in accelerating the economic transformation of our region into the knowledge economy," says Stephen Forrest, vice president for research at U-M and the driving force behind several campus initiatives to boost university-industry partnerships.
The center shares 17,000 square feet of 2nd-floor space with the recently relocated U-M Office of Technology Transfer. The offices will work together to strengthen U-M ties to business and community partners, while helping to revitalize and diversify the state's economy.
The Office of Technology Transfer transfers research discoveries to make existing businesses more competitive and to create new startups that stimulate economic growth. The BEC will be able to provide Tech Transfer with the names of potential licensees and business partners.
The staff is expected to grow to seven by the end of June. Most of the employees will be relationship managers who link private-sector partners with appropriate campus experts.
For information on the Business Engagement Center, send an e-mail to um-bec@umich.edu and call (734) 647-1000.
Source: University of Michigan
Writer: Jon Zemke
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