Minnesota State University, Mankato is part of a nine-month pilot project designed for southern Minnesota that opens up the lines of communication, exchange and partnership between industry and education.
Greater Mankato SourceLink, launched this month, is a web-based program in which questions can be posed to and from educators and industry leaders seeking solutions and resources from one another. The site, located at www.greatermankatosourcelink.com, has an existing knowledge base of information accumulated through the participation of area professionals in education and industry.
"The benefits to business and industry include accelerated business-to-business interaction and better access to the resources of higher education," said Doug Belmore, SourceLink's Design Team Chair and President/CEO of Jones Metal Products, Inc. "To the educational sector, it means opportunities for faculty innovation and increased opportunities for student learning." SourceLink uses area experts in business, education and manufacturing to address questions in categories such as accounting, finance, electronics, plastics, K-12 education, employee training and more.
Now in the pilot-project stage, Greater Mankato SourceLink over the upcoming nine months will be monitored for account traffic, matches and repetition of use. A full assessment will be conducted in May 2007, after which a decision to proceed with or stop the project will be made.
A successful run could see other communities either joining or replicating SourceLink. Minnesota State University, Mankato has contributed web space and support to the project, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities funds the software costs and the entire project is overseen by the Greater Mankato Economic Development Corp.
"It's exciting that Southern Minnesota has the opportunity to be the pioneer of such an innovative tool," said Jonathan Zierdt, Executive Director for Greater Mankato Economic Development Corporation. "SourceLink will provide both a window and a way to connect to the resources, talents and knowledge within the community."
For more information, contact Jill Klinger of the Greater Mankato Development Corporation at 507-385-3200.
Email this article | Permanent link | Topstories news | Topstories news archives
Minnesota State
University, Mankato
Mankato, MN 56001
1-800-722-0544
© 2005-2013 Minnesota State University, Mankato. Minnesota State University, Mankato is a member of
Minnesota State Colleges & Universities system and an affirmative action/equal opportunity university.
