OBE’s Winter 2022 Update

OBE keeps you up to date through our quarterly e-newsletter; here’s the latest issue for Winter 2022. Subscribe here – or forward this newsletter to yourself or a friend.

UW–Madison designated an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University

On November 6, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) designated UW–Madison as an Innovation and Economic Prosperity (IEP) University. This designation, based on the university’s commitment to economic and community engagement with a focus on innovation, workforce development and public service, followed extensive consultation with internal and external stakeholders. Read more about the designation.

Industry-university connections pick up this fall

It’s been a busy fall for the Office of Business Engagement (OBE) and its corporate partners, with on- and off-campus meetings focused on sustainability, engineering research, genomic innovations, talent, and of course, Badger football.

Winner of inaugural Jake Leinenkugel Diversity in Brewing Award announced

Congratulations to second-year microbiology major Babayosimi (Simi) Fadiran for winning the first Jake Leinenkugel Diversity in Brewing Award, a scholarship that supports UW–Madison students from underrepresented groups pursuing studies in brewing or fermentation sciences.   Find out more about the benefits of strategic investment in UW–Madison.

Technology and Entrepreneurship Office to speed transition from research to usable technology

UW–Madison’s newly founded Technology and Entrepreneurship Office (TEO), launched as a partnership among the School of Computer, Data & Information Sciences (CDIS), the College of Letters & Science, and the College of Engineering, will increase the speed and frequency at which UW research is translated into usable technology. It supports STEM-based innovations from any faculty, staff, or student at UW–Madison. Experienced innovator Bonnie Bachman, formerly of Missouri University of Science and Technology, joined TEO as its inaugural director in October.

UW–Madison lab explores the future of the workplace

A future filled with robot-powered manufacturing might be efficient, but workplaces completely devoid of humans would be both impractical and undesirable. A professor in the College of Engineering, in collaboration with companies including General Motors, Boeing, and Wisconsin-based Mercury Marine, is working on strategies to introduce “cobots”—collaborative robots—into manufacturing jobs in ways that assist workers, not replace them. Find out how OBE helps connect businesses like yours with UW–Madison research and technology.

Career Fairs to resume in Spring 2023

SAVE THE DATE(s): The College of Engineering is holding career fairs on Feb. 2 and 6, 2023 on the engineering campus. The School of Computer, Data and Information Sciences has set its spring career fair for Feb. 20 at Union South. Keep tabs on our Career Events page for upcoming career fairs, held each spring and fall, and find out more about connecting with UW–Madison students and recent graduates.

UW E-Business Consortium conference a success, now available digitally

With an exciting line-up of industry thought leaders in four dynamic tracks filled with captivating content, this year’s 24th Annual UW E-Business Consortium (UWEBC) Business Best Practices and Emerging Technologies Conference was a huge success. With over 900 registrants and 40 speakers, the day was filled with innovation for the future of business and technology. UWEBC is now offering a digital-only all-access pass, giving you access to videos and presentation materials from all 45 speakers, as well as virtual sponsor booths and opportunities to connect with other attendees.

• Recurring, in-person: The School of Business offers the Distinguished Entrepreneurs Lunch Program, an opportunity to hear success stories form local experts (along with a free lunch!). Remaining lunches in 2022 include Tom Kalinske (Nov. 16) and Cindy Joers (Nov. 30).
• Wednesday, November 16, 11:00 am, online: Join the free 2023 HR Trends webinar featuring insights from this year’s QTI HR Trends Survey, including guidance on compensation, benefits, careers, employee well-being, diversity and inclusion, and workforce planning. 
• Friday, November 18, 11:30 am, online: Innovate with DHS – Funding and Tech Transfer Opportunities for Students, Researchers and Business. Join Discovery to Product (D2P) for a DHS Science and Technology Directorate webinar about innovation and entrepreneurial opportunities for researchers, students and businesses.

• Wednesday, December 1, 8:30 pm, Grainger Hall: Communication & Delegation Skills. This session is designed to strengthen your business relationships through a better understanding of your own communication style and that of others. You will leave the session with a personalized plan for improving your communication skills.
• December 5-7, 8 am to 5 pm, on campus: Today, all businesses are digital businesses. UW E-Business Consortium’s Digital Product Management Boot Camp will provide an unparalleled opportunity to learn strategies and methods used to develop world-class digital products.
• January 17-19, 2023, 8 am to 5 pm, Fluno Center: Workplaces that build inclusive cultures allow employees to thrive—and improve their performance and retention rates. Building a Culture of Inclusion and Belonging will help you develop a diversity strategy to connect DEI goals to values, incorporate DEI into the employee lifecycle, and gain buy-in from your organization’s leadership.

Contact us to learn more about how OBE can connect you with the university’s talent solutions, professional development resources, research and technology, or opportunities for strategic investment. We’ve moved! Find us at the heart of campus in 97 Bascom Hall, 500 Lincoln Drive, Madison, WI 53706.