MIS Research Center Seminar Series
8:30 AM - 11:15 AM
1st Floor Auditorium, Carlson School of Management

Abstract

The School of Information Systems (SIS) was launched in 2003 as the fourth school of the Singapore Management University . From the time of creation, SIS was distinct in several ways. A choice was made to neither follow the blueprint of a mainstream business school information systems department nor that of a mainstream computer science department. And at the same time, important features of both of these types of established academic approaches toward the analysis or creation of information technology and systems had to be incorporated. The school aggressively reached out to industry to create the communication and relationships needed to inform and support the undergraduate programme, the professional masters programme and the PhD and faculty research programme as well. These industry linkages have been facilitated by a non-traditional faculty model (at least in comparison to business school faculty composition) which includes both classical academic PhD faculty who have to compete in the conventional world of academic journal publications, PhD practice faculty who focus more on teaching and practice oriented scholarship and a mix of both research and teaching support staff.

In this talk, Steven Miller, the founding Dean of SIS, will discuss several industry relationships that have been important to the school. The talk will illustrate experiences, lessons and suggestions with real examples based on

* The Standard Chartered Bank iLAB@SMU
* Collaboration with the Financial Services Sector to establish a professor masters for technology and operations professionals in the sector
* The former IBM Business Consulting Services Solution Center at SMU
* The Singapore National Grid Effort, and the related Adaptive Enterprise @ Singapore programme (a collaboration across the Singapore government, universities and HP labs)
* Joint efforts with SAP to increase tertiary student exposure to ERP application packages
* Joint efforts with Oracle to mount a certification programme for the Architecture of Business Grids

Collaborations with industry are difficult and complex. There are no easy paths to relationships that are both win-win AND sustainable. It is important to realize that the needs, costs and benefits of industry interaction are quite different across the spectrum of a university academic unit's activities, ranging from it's undergraduate programme, to it's professionally oriented masters programe, to it's research oriented PhD programme, and to it's obligations for social and community service.

Biography

Dr. Steven MILLER

Dr. Miller is founding Dean of the School of Information Systems (SIS) at Singapore Management University , and also serves as Practice Professor of Information Systems. Since 2003, he has led efforts to launch and establish the undergraduate, graduate and professional programs of the SIS.

Immediately prior to joining SMU, Dr. Miller served as Chief Architect Executive for the Business Consulting Services unit of IBM Global Services in Asia Pacific. He held prior industry appointments with Fujitsu Network Systems, and with RWD Technologies.

Dr. Miller started his professional career as an Assistant Professor at Carnegie Mellon University , conducting research and teaching related to Computer-Integrated Manufacturing and Robotics applications and impacts.

He has a Bachelors of Engineering Degree in Systems Engineering (Magna Cum Laude) from the University of Pennsylvania and a Masters of Science in Statistics and a Ph.D. in Engineering and Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University.