WMU to provide engineering management training for global professional society

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University’s College of Engineering and Applied Sciences will provide engineering management training that is offered throughout the world by the American Society for Engineering Management (ASEM). The collaboration will be led by Dr. Larry Mallak, professor of industrial and entrepreneurial engineering and engineering management, who is known for his expertise and research as well as his experience in offering training to corporations. Jonathan Rees, a global consultant, author and trainer based in the United Kingdom, will partner with Mallak on the program design and delivery.

"This partnership provides a unique way to serve the broader engineering management community through carefully designed and delivered programs that draw on over 15 years of experience in training Fortune 500 companies and government organizations,” says Mallak, noting that a master services agreement was signed recently, formalizing the arrangement.

“Encouraging and facilitating lifelong learning is one of the essential characteristics of higher education institutions as well as professional societies,” says Dr. Yesim Sireli, 2022-23 ASEM president. “This notable partnership between ASEM and WMU fulfills that goal by providing significant, continuing education and career training to participants.” 

Recognizing the need for engineers to develop management skills, the ASEM industrial board and leadership resolved to develop training to meet this need.

“The training promises to be robust in content and delivery. The training is facilitated by world class and savvy engineering management trainers,” says Dr. Gene Dixon, executive director of ASEM. 

The inaugural training session will be held on Friday, April 14, and is titled "Build a Better Team: The Everest Climb." This training is based on an interactive simulation involving five-person teams who attempt to summit Mt. Everest. They encounter challenges along the way, which illuminate their teamwork and leadership skills. A facilitated debrief exposes the key learnings from the experience based on core engineering management skills and practices.

For more information and registration, visit the official ASEM event page.

Subsequent programs will include the following:

• Build a Resilient Team (BaRT) will have participants learn how to improve workplace resilience in team settings, especially as those settings have become virtual and hybrid. 
• Essentials of Gathering Insights (EGI) is a multi-session program focused on the use of ethnographic techniques in surfacing customer insights in new product development efforts. This is the first time EGI will be offered outside a private corporate setting.
• Additional programs will be offered based on emerging trends and professional needs.

About ASEM

The American Society for Engineering Management (ASEM) is a global professional society dedicated to the promotion and advancement of the engineering and technical management profession. ASEM provides a foundation for anyone wanting to engage with or become knowledgeable about the field of Engineering Management. The organization is also the accrediting body for engineering management programs and recently recertified WMU’s graduate program.

For more information about the engineering management program at WMU or the training being offered by ASEM, email Dr. Larry Mallak or call him at (269) 276-3369.

For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.