Abstract
The Intensive Education in Advanced Logistics has been developed in
a unique partnering among Europeans and Americans to promote effective
learning experiences and nurture a generation of internationally minded
professionals and a new model of f leadership, what Warren Bennis calls
“teams of leaders.” The program builds on an exchange program that had
brought students from Italy to America and American educators and program
facilitators to Italy. Although the subject matter is simulation applied
to logistics, the learning is far more than that.
Initial efforts between the University of Genoa’s Liophant Club and
the Training and Simulation Technology Consortium, now the National Center
for Simulation in Orlando affirmed the value of immersion in English, the
language of international technology. The first three students in Orlando,
for example, all went to work in Milan,Italy for companies whose headquarters
are in the US. The exposure to American government agencies, universities,
and industry was rich. They all had opportunity to make presentations
before TSTC/NCS membership meetings. One was featured in a television broadcast
about the simulation community in Orlando and another was invited to speak
to the Defense Modeling and Simulation Organization in Washington,
D.C. They shadowed the project manager affording opportunities to experience
partnering activities and participate in the evolution of an emerging technology.
The IEPAL program presents the Orlando community with a further opportunity
to benefit from the students and the students to benefit from them. The
students will attend courses in simulation at the University of Central
Florida and will attend group meetings and work on team projects. Guest
lecturers may include members of other UCF departments, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
University, and Crummer School of Business at Rollins College. NCS
company representatives will serve as student mentors, conduct orientation,
assign and support work assignments. The students will work on company
projects for approximately 80-120 hours. They will , on an individual basis,
be able to visit companies of interest to them,especially those with
European offices.
The program provides an easy opportunity for a wide number of NCS members
to participate and exchange ideas about simulation. NCS members who participate
will expand their network, have an opportunity to present ideas about
our approaches and see how others work similar issues.
Examination of experience reinforces learning. IEPAL Orlando will include
review and analysis activities, guest presentations, study group activity
and informal discussions. Speakers may include experts from among
the Kennedy Space Center, the Army’s STRICOM, the Naval Air Warfare Training
Center Systems Division, the Air Force Advanced Modeling and Simulation
Agency, United Space Alliance, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Booze Allen, Dynamic
Research Corporation, AEgis, Veridian, the Department of Defense
Co-Lab in Advanced Distributed Learning and others from Florida’s theme
parks and growing digital media industry. The experience of meeting
and discussing simulation with industry leaders will enhance both the work
and academic experience.
Because simulation has better decision-making as its purpose,
supports efforts to keep up with a changing world and models and
promotes team leadership and vision—these topics will be a focus of student
interactions with employers, academic researchers, government project managers
and analysts.
Simulation is changing the way we do business. It is challenging our
ideas of how to cope with a changing world and challenging us to put our
imaginations to work. European student experience in the Orlando
will take note of what this means now and in the future- especially, the
power, problems, and potential of this amazing discipline in a global economy
where seaports, airports and spaceports can inspire new generations.
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