The year in review

Restructuring ahead

by  Richard Grieve, CIRAS Interim Director

This year was the first full year that CIRAS has been under the direction of the ISU College of Engineering. This has been a very positive reporting relationship as the traditional goals and activities of the CIRAS group are closely aligned with the outreach goals of the College of Engineering. The College of Engineering, as you know, is under the direction of new leadership that is stressing strong partnering with Iowa Industry. Examples include

• the desire to develop 50 significant industrial partnerships,
• enhancement of the student co-op and intern programs,
• faculty work programs, and
• industry teaching programs.

CIRAS has been active in assisting with most of these programs, especially in locating companies that have an interest in the student co-op program. We look forward to a long and harmonious relationship with the College of Engineering.

CIRAS client project work was up significantly this year. This was true in nearly all categories of activity. Total service to client needs increased over 20 percent. These gains were evident in the number of fee projects, referred projects, and projects involving students.

Our "project" crews have been quite active. In addition to the project capabilities of the central staff, our field staff have developed considerable content delivery skills. We now have top notch field people in ISO 9000, Theory of Constraints, and OSHA, to name a few. We are also developing industrial problem solving relationships with others on the ISU campus in addition to the College of Engineering.

In short, CIRAS continues to develop its skills as a "full service" provider to Iowa industry and will look within or reach out to provide the best service possible to Iowa manufacturers. I call your attention to the seven most requested project types for the 1996/97 fiscal vear.

Do you see something in this array of activities that sparks your interest for future projects within your company?

The evolving organizational structure of Iowa State University Extension, Iowa Manufacturing Technology Center, and Iowa community colleges will change in the near future. Iowa Manufacturing Technology Center and community college agents will focus on client calling and needs assessment. CIRAS agents will focus on conducting technology transfer and training/implementation projects. Also, with the coming move of three CIRAS field agents to community colleges, all CIRAS field staff will be located on community college premises. These changes together will enable increased interface between CIRAS and other partners, particularly the community colleges.

How does all of this affect you--the manufacturing client? Our total emphasis will be to provide the very best in client centered services, as we have done in the past. Please feel free to contact CIRAS for assistance in meeting your needs!

CIRAS News, Vol. 32, No. 1, Fall 1997

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