Michigan Virtual Automotive College to Partner With Eastern Michigan
9 February 1999
Michigan Virtual Automotive College to Partner With Eastern Michigan University for Internet-based Automotive Supplier Training QS-9000 Courses Via Distance Learning
ANN ARBOR, Mich., Feb. 9 -- Michigan Virtual Automotive
College (MVAC), a division of the Michigan Virtual University, today announced
an agreement with Eastern Michigan University to develop two Web-based courses
on QS-9000 automotive supplier requirements.
"Understanding QS-9000" and "QS-9000 Internal Auditing" will use the
Internet, CD-ROM and online instructor facilitation to provide high-impact,
interactive instruction. This self-paced, multimedia delivery enables
students to tailor the learning to their needs.
Reality Interactive, based in Minneapolis, Minn., and Management Resources
International (MRI) of Saline, Mich., will provide technical support for the
project. Reality will develop the user interface and provide technical
expertise, while MRI will function as a subject matter expert and provide
project management. Both Reality and MRI have extensive experience in
developing and delivering instructional materials for the automotive
community.
Errol Koos, vice president of market and product development for the
Michigan Virtual University, said the partnership is a model for developing
distance education opportunities. "It enhances our ability to provide value-
added learning solutions to automotive suppliers of all sizes. It also
furthers Michigan as a "smart state," essential to developing a 21st Century
workforce and what Governor John Engler calls gold collar job opportunities --
high-skill, high-wage, high-demand."
Walter Di Mantova, director of Eastern Michigan University's Centers for
Corporate Training, applauds the partnership. "We have created a partnership
that works extremely well. Our staff has the experience and expertise to take
QS-9000 concepts and auditing to a deeper level. We are able to hone the
quality tools and processes that people will actually use in achieving
registration -- and it's being done in this new and exciting format that's a
truly innovative combination."
Paul Wendorff, president and CEO of Reality Interactive, Inc., described
his company's role as providing expertise in online instructional design and
delivery. "We are excited to have been selected by MVU and MVAC as a key
instructional technology resource in the design and development of these Web-
based courses. The vision and focus of our organizations are well-aligned,
and we look forward to delivering world-class learning for the MVU system."
Joe Kausek of MRI, project manager for the joint development, stated,
"This is truly a next-millennium approach to instructional delivery that
potentially provides global impact."
About MVAC
The Michigan Virtual Automotive College is a nonprofit "college without
walls" established by Governor Engler in December 1996. It is charged with
delivering workforce education and training for Michigan's automotive and
manufacturing industries through electronic learning programs. The Auto
College does not grant degrees, but is an access point to programs made
available through colleges, universities and private providers. With strong
links to the Big Three automakers and their suppliers, MVAC has the capability
of transferring knowledge to thousands of current and potential employees.
MVAC can be reached at 888-575-6822 or on the Web at http://www.mvac.org.
About the Eastern Michigan University Center for Quality
Since 1983, the Center for Quality has been a leader in providing quality,
reliability and productivity training to more than 50,000 people in 2,000
companies worldwide. Each of the Center's programs is focused on helping
individual companies reach and keep their competitive potential. As a part of
Eastern Michigan University, the Center for Quality is able to develop
programs based on the most credible and current information available. The
EMU Center for Quality can be reached at 800-932-8689 or on the Web at
http://www.centerforquality.org.