Donation Funds Logistics Lab
CARLA PINEDA, Arts & Living Editor
Issue date: 1/16/07 Section: News
The Industry Manufacturers Council and Kent R. Valley of Majestic Realty donated $315,000 to the College of Business, particularly to the technology and operations management department, to be appointed to a supply chain laboratory that will enable students to view and test technology in the lucrative field of distribution of goods and services.
Hassan Halati, chair and professor of the technology and operations management department, took a leadership role in securing these funds that he says are only a cash portion of many other software and technology donations that will be given to start and maintain the new facility.
In following Cal Poly's polytechnic motto, Halati as well as other key fundraisers involved in this project, saw a need for all business students, regardless of concentration, to have an opportunity to visualize and practice the use of devices such as Radio Frequency Identification, prior to their graduation and entry into the workplace.
Lynn Turner, professor in the management and human resources department has been asked to serve in the laboratory project as an administrative director who would identify opportunities for grants and putting together proposals to interact with businesses to provide financial assistance.
Besides, being a laboratory, the project has potential for expansion.
"(It is planned) to use the whole campus as a test bed; to put up an RFID antenna up around campus and we could put RFID tags on different things and students can become involved in those projects. We can put RFID tags on parking stickers," said Turner.
"My (area of concentration) is supply chain management and we go over this technology but I don't even know how it works. So I think it's good experience for students," said Erwin Mangal, fourth-year E-business student.
The Inland Empire is an area of rapid growth that houses headquarters to many logistics, distribution and supply chain firms. It is considered a gateway between the Port of Los Angeles and the rest of the country. Cal Poly, being a school embedded in this busy area, is a human resources supplier to the established supply chain firms as well as for firms that are interested in moving here.
Hassan Halati, chair and professor of the technology and operations management department, took a leadership role in securing these funds that he says are only a cash portion of many other software and technology donations that will be given to start and maintain the new facility.
In following Cal Poly's polytechnic motto, Halati as well as other key fundraisers involved in this project, saw a need for all business students, regardless of concentration, to have an opportunity to visualize and practice the use of devices such as Radio Frequency Identification, prior to their graduation and entry into the workplace.
Lynn Turner, professor in the management and human resources department has been asked to serve in the laboratory project as an administrative director who would identify opportunities for grants and putting together proposals to interact with businesses to provide financial assistance.
Besides, being a laboratory, the project has potential for expansion.
"(It is planned) to use the whole campus as a test bed; to put up an RFID antenna up around campus and we could put RFID tags on different things and students can become involved in those projects. We can put RFID tags on parking stickers," said Turner.
"My (area of concentration) is supply chain management and we go over this technology but I don't even know how it works. So I think it's good experience for students," said Erwin Mangal, fourth-year E-business student.
The Inland Empire is an area of rapid growth that houses headquarters to many logistics, distribution and supply chain firms. It is considered a gateway between the Port of Los Angeles and the rest of the country. Cal Poly, being a school embedded in this busy area, is a human resources supplier to the established supply chain firms as well as for firms that are interested in moving here.
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