For the second year, Oakland University will co-host a Michigan Chinese Academic and Professional Association Asian (MCAPA) delegation for a one-day symposium on April 15. The delegates will be in town for the Society of Automotive Engineers Congress in Detroit. The delegates will meet with local engineering and business leaders in a closed session for a portion of the day and then OU faculty will present to the delegation, followed by a panel on the quality in the auto manufacturing sector, which is open to the public.
The MCAPA was established in 1987 with the mission to promote academic and professional connections and collaboration between the automotive, business and academic institutions in Taiwan, China and in Michigan. The MCAPA board of directors hosts workshops, trainings and symposia to MCAPA and community members throughout the year. Last year, the School of Business Administration partnered with MCAPA to host an auto-related symposium for delegates in town for the SAE Congress. While last year’s session was closed, this year the session will include an open portion in the afternoon.
“The MCAPA tries to bridge the gap between the auto engineers and those in academics. The School of Business Administration is supportive of this kind of outreach program,” said Peggy Chiu, computer facilities administrator and facilitator of the Asian delegation visit to OU. “We welcomed the delegates from Taiwan and China as well as local engineers and faculty and staff members from the Metro Detroit area.”
Xiaodong Deng, Joy Jiang and Hong Qian will present to the delegation, followed by a panel discussion facilitated by Michael Grieves. The presentations and panel discussion will be held from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. in 216 O’Dowd Hall. For more information, e-mail cmking@oakland.edu or visit the events page of the School of Business Web site.
This year, the School of Business expects approximately 100 people to attend the open session. Those who are members of the Society of Automotive Engineers, those involved with the automotive industry, engineering or those who would like to meet with the delegates and possibly learn more about business relationships in Asia are welcome.
“We are happy to have the opportunity to host the delegates and reach out to local businesses and those in the academic area,” Chiu said.
For more information, visit the School of Business Administration Web site.