MU faculty and students are invited to register for the 2015 Southeastern Conference Symposium Sept. 20–22 in Atlanta at the Hyatt Regency. The theme is “Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Driving a 21st Century.”
The talks and panels focus on helping faculty, students and company personnel use their knowledge specialty for business creation, innovation, commercialization and developing university-industry partnerships.
Hank Foley, MU’s senior vice chancellor for research and graduate studies, is one of four University of Missouri participants in the symposium. Foley will be on a panel addressing the economic impact of university innovation.
“Faculty innovation and entrepreneurship are vital to the University of Missouri,” Foley said. “We need to develop a culture that nurtures both and gives faculty the tools they need for success. This SEC seminar will help faculty develop knowledge in these areas.”
Lives Can Be Changed
The University of Missouri System spends more than $304 million each year on research, a portion of which resulted in inventions that landed in the marketplace. The process of research to innovation helps effect economic development in Missouri, America and globally. Lives of everyday people can be changed.
“MU’s culture is one of discovery, creativity and innovation,” said Steve Wyatt, associate vice chancellor and vice provost for economic development. "Our desire is for MU innovations to transform people’s lives and our society. The SEC symposium is a great opportunity to learn what other institutions are doing in entrepreneurship, university-industry partnerships and commercialization,” Wyatt said.
Sometimes research doesn’t address a public need because academia and industry aren’t working together closely. The symposium looks at ways to overcome hurdles to develop partnerships between universities and companies.
Now in its third year, the Southeast Conference Symposium is part of an academic initiative by the SECU, which promotes achievements in research and teaching at the 14 universities within the Southeastern Conference and encourages interdisciplinary collaboration among SEC university professors. The University of Missouri joined the sports conference July 1, 2012. The Atlanta symposium will feature participants from all 14 SEC universities.
Exploding Entrepreneurship
A panel discussion on creative teaching and best practices in teaching entrepreneurship is part of one of the five sessions during the three-day event. W.D. Allen, an adjunct professor in the Trulaske College of Business and coordinator of the Allen Angel Capital Education Program, will moderate that panel.
“Entrepreneurship is exploding on every campus globally and the walls between disciplines are crumbling,” Allen said. “At MU, we have the financial and academic resources to expand the experience of students and advance university goals, both altruistically and pecuniarily.
“I encourage faculty and students to attend the SEC symposium this fall,” Allen said.
Early registration open until June 30
Administrators and faculty, $175 per person.
Graduate and postdoctoral students, $25 per person
Undergraduates, $20 per person
Regular registration July 1 to Aug. 31
Administrators and faculty, $225 per person
Graduate and postdoctoral students, $75
Undergraduate students, $25