As the knowledge-based economy in North America is growing, the skills gap is rapidly increasing. The Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) estimates that there are 190,000 openings for IT employees at large and midsize US companies. Hence, initially MUIT would concentrate on information technology (IT) and provide technical training and seminars to the MU community. As a bridge to this IT skills gap, MUIT intends to become a mechanism of enhancing the technical skills of the MU community, retaining personnel with required technical skills, and providing current technical skills to students along with a solid educational foundation.

The Marshall University Institute for Technology (MUIT) program will be needs driven. The unique delivery methodology and collaborative, "team building" approach will provide students with superior team and problem-solving capability, combined with highly relevant technical skills. By utilizing existing highly trained technical personnel at MU as a coordinate training force, and by partnering with locally and regionally available expertise, MUIT will benefit our employees, the university and the entire region. Training will be flexible in regards to timing and topic. Professional certification will be provided with many applications. Corporate and community partners will provide additional trainers and serve to assist in the focus of the curriculum.

A director will provide the necessary administrative coordination to oversee the Institute. A separate 501(c)3 organization will be established as the fiscal agent. The president of the university for the corporation will appoint a board of directors that is charged with oversight of the Institution.

• An explosion has occurred in the use of technology in many disciplines in the last five years, especially in information and biotechnology.
• Cheaper and faster computers, networks, infrastructure, and software have made it possible to process information at an exponentially fast rate.
• Many in the MU community and in the immediate and local region feel that they have been left "behind the times" and they do not have the necessary mechanisms to get onto the technology ramp. Those who have managed to pick up bits and pieces, have a sense of confusion because they do not know how to apply what they have learned to other problem situations or are unable to differentiate the forest from the trees. Others have an idea of what they need to learn, but do not know which of the myriad of training courses around the country will meet their needs.
• Many local businesses and industry do not have the resource capability to hire full time technology personnel on their staff. Also, they are quite apprehensive about using external consultants. One of the reasons for their apprehension is that many "cowboy organizations" provide consulting advice, which maximizes consultant profits with no long-term service.
• Many businesses do not have the technical expertise to draw up proper contracts with these consultants, and hence are at the mercy of whatever is delivered. They need an "honest broker" that understands the domain and can keep the contractor on a short leash.
• MU, along with other local/regional businesses has difficulty in retaining personnel with current technology skills, because such people are in high demand, and find consulting jobs easily.

Create a central gateway organization (called MUIT) for MU and the regional community, which can conceptualize, design, develop and maintain technological endeavors for: training and education; delivery of technology services; and for hiring and maintaining a reliable source of well-trained productive employees.

MUIT would coordinate (rather than compete with) the resources available within existing MU components and the regional community, creating an environment where technology is used for the benefit of all in the University and the community.

 Objectives

Initially, MUIT would concentrate on information technology to initiate its services, but would expand its domain to other technologies such as biotechnology.

• Develop advanced capabilities within Marshall University in IT fields such as:
• Professional software development
• Network infrastructure development
• Multimedia systems development for various applications
• Computer Based Training (CBT) development for personnel in various occupational fields.
• Evaluating and recommending information technologies for a range of systems, from large-scale enterprise systems to small-scale business systems based on the needs.
• Others…
• Develop mechanisms for training personnel within MU community, and personnel in the local area, region, state, and the entire country, using traditional and technology approaches such as CBT, distance learning, etc.,
• Develop mechanisms for helping local and regional business and industry in their technology needs by being a resource of expertise
• Develop a mechanism for executing technology-based grants and contracts, in partnership with local businesses to enhance the socio-economic state of the Advantage Valley region.

(In order of objectives listed above)

• Initially, pool personnel and infrastructure resources from within Marshall University components. Send selected personnel for additional training based on needs and current technology and streamline scheduling of infrastructure resources.
• Provide training for personnel in the community by conducting training sessions, workshops, seminars, etc., at Marshall, and in the local and regional area. Provide a mechanism for someone not enrolled in the university to directly take one or more courses in the various technical degree programs.
• Make presentations within local and regional community about technology capabilities at Marshall and provide services by understanding needs of businesses and industries. Provide a coherent repertoire of continuing education offerings, certificate programs and degrees (from associate to graduate), as well as internships and cooperative work/study experiences. To a customer, MUIT would be a single gateway or clearinghouse for technological services.
• Use the personnel and infrastructure resources within Marshall (faculty, staff and students) in partnership with expertise from outside to execute technology-based contracts.

Establish MU as a leader in the region, state, and nationally as an institution that meets technology needs and plays a major role in leading the community to use technology successfully.