Kettering University to Host University Synergy Program 2003

FLINT, Mich., Nov. 1, 2002; High-tech options for the supply chain and mobile technology industries will be the focus of an international conference coming to Michigan in September 2003. Kettering University, Flint, Mich., has been selected to host the 2003 University Synergy Program (USP) International Conference, only the second time an American university will host the prestigious technology conference.

USP 2003 will be at the historic Dearborn Inn in Dearborn, Mich., Sept. 15-18, with select events held in Flint.

"Kettering University is pleased to host this international gathering of experts who are interested in delivering software solutions to manufacturing," said University President James E. A. John. "Our conference will focus on bridging the gap between organizational processes and high-tech options for industry."

Speakers at USP 2003 will offer enterprise data, applications, and processes related to supply chain solutions and mobile technology to an audience consisting of top-ranked university representatives, executives of hi-tech companies, industry leaders and technical specialists. Topics for paper presentations include:

Supply and delivery chain solutions, Wireless applications for mobile business, E-business capabilities that extend applications to suppliers, customers and employees, Transition of business processes into e-business processes, Mobilizing the enterprise via Enterprise Information Portals (EIP), Evaluating impacts and ROI of enterprise integration technologies, Applications of mobile technology for societal benefit. Cash prizes for the conference's "Best Papers" total $15,000.

"Universities and business organizations from more than 20 countries have sponsored and participated in previous USP conferences," said Dr. Sanju Patro, an assistant professor of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering and Business at Kettering and chair of the USP conference.

"This conference offers a global arena for presenting findings on the latest technological advancements," she added. "The conference's theme on solutions to supply-chain management and global manufacturing systems with a focus on the auto industry matches very well with Kettering's core competencies."

The event is being organized by Kettering University, (formerly General Motors Institute), Noaber Foundation, a Netherlands based nonprofit organization and BeehiveFund, a nonprofit organization funding research on emerging technologies.

The USP international conference has previously been hosted in Europe, Israel and South Africa.

For information, go to http://www.beehivefund.org and click on USP 2003 or contact Dr. Sanju Patro at spatro@kettering.edu , 810-762-7950.