Global Engagement in Kalamazoo

Students in ClassWorking with WMU’s Haenicke Institute for Global Education, business and engineering faculty led a two-week course for international government representatives interested in learning more about human capital analytics and changes to ISO 9000 standards—the international standards for quality production.

“The Haenicke Institute was able to work with these professors to develop a program based on the desired outcomes of the Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education of the Republic of Indonesia,” explains Dr. Michelle Metro-Roland, WMU’s director of faculty and global program development.

“The group was comprised of government officials working in a variety of enterprises. They did not know each other before they arrived so one of the interesting aspects of the program is that they not only had the opportunity to learn more about American enterprises and WMU, but they also had the opportunity to meet others working in their home country,” adds Metro-Roland.

Budi Rahardjo, head of Indonesia’s Bureau of Law, Organization and Public Relations, says that the partnership with WMU was created with the intent of supporting his country’s move to enhance its competitive position in the ASEAN economic community. 

During the first week of the session, “the group wanted an introduction to human capital analytics and to be shown how this could be applied to their work,” says Dr. Derrick McIver, assistant professor of management and an expert in the human capital analytics field, who conducts research and provides consulting services in this fast-growing industry.

The second week included presentations about quality standards from Dr. David Lyth, professor of engineering and integrated supply management, and Dr. Lee Wells, assistant professor of industrial and entrepreneurial engineering, researchers in quality management and experts in ISO 9000. The group also visited several area manufacturers. “It was important that our visitors saw how ISO 9000 was implemented in a variety of environments,” says Lyth.

Other similar collaborations are being pursued as part of the college’s strategic plan. “It’s vital that members of the college participate in international experiences and that we share our business expertise,” says Dr. Satish Deshpande, interim dean. “It is equally vital that we host workshops such as this one—bringing professionals, students and faculty from around the world to Kalamazoo.”