The University of Missouri Computer Science Department held their annual meeting of the Computer Science Industry Advisory Council on May 3, 2010. The event was hosted by department chair Dong Xu.
The Computer Science Industry Advisory Council (CS-IAC) provides suggestions and inputs to the department on many issues including curriculum, student development and job placement, research, and outreach. The University also work with the Council Members to strengthen the collaboration between their companies and the MU Computer Science department, in particular, to help match companies and students for internship and job opportunities, as well as to establish research collaborations.
Finally, the council is given the opportunity to share market trend and technology needs that will help MU Computer Science students obtain employment. This, in turn, influences syllabus and course offerings at the University.
A CS-IAC meeting is held every year, typically a one-day event. During the meeting, the department will make a number of presentations about the undergraduate programs for the committee members to comment. This includes panel discussions and several Senior Capstone projects. Council members are also briefed on the activities and developments happening in the Computer Science and Computer Engineering Schools at the University.
During this year’s meeting, presentations were made by Dong Xu, Dean Jim Thompson, Michael Jurczyk, Dale Musser, and Joseph Guilliams helped 6 Capstone groups present their senior projects.
Some CS-IAC members also visit the department at other times for events such as “Professor for a Day” (guest lectures) and programming contests. Furthermore, MU’s Comp Sci department consults with CS-IAC members on various issues through emails.
Other CS-IAC Committee Members include representatives from Delta Systems, Microsoft, Boeing, Cerner, Quilogy, UMB Bank, CarFax, Shelter Insurance, Rose International, Tradebot Systems, and Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
Steve Powell, President of Delta Systems, said that, “Delta is honored to be seated among such prestigious, large, successful companies. We’re certainly the small fish in this group, but feel we have a unique perspective as a small, agile, client-centered web application development firm that is not only headquartered in Mizzou’s backyard, but also employs MU graduates.”