UW-P hosts presentations from Japanese business executives

Amy Bell Kwallek
Exponent

UW-Platteville had the opportunity to hear from top executives to one of the largest telecom companies in the world at the first Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation Day on Nov. 14. NTT Day includes presentations and talks with executives from NTT, a giant telecom company located in Japan.

“This is a unique opportunity to hear senior-level businessmen talk about and share their knowledge and ideas on telecommunication,” Special Assistant to the Chancellor Barb Daus said.

“NTT is a telecommunication company that is working alongside engineering to create sensory projects,” Dean of BILSA Duane Ford said. This is an advanced company that is interested in developing projects and warning systems that work with environmental factors.

NTT’s primary business includes landline telecommunications, fiber optics and cell phones.

“NTT serves some 60 percent of households in Japan and is similar to our AT&T,” Daus said.

UW-P first gained connections with NTT through a Highland-based company called Hli Incorporated in 2004. They have an office on the third floor of Pioneer Tower.

“We are looking to build relationships between NTT’s scientists and our faculty for joint research and therefore provide opportunities for students,” Ford said. NTT is working with UW-P professors and students to develop ozone detection badges that will measure the amount of ozone a person is exposed to in the workplace.

NTT offers a research program to students in the appropriate fields who are eligible for application. Dr. Chuck Cornett, associate professor and chair of the chemistry department, and an NTT representative select the student for the program. They travel to Japan for six months to do research with NTT’s scientists. So far two UW-P students have traveled to Japan and taken advantage of this opportunity and connection. This year’s candidate, Meghan Murphy, a senior engineering and physics major, will leave in February to work on a project with NTT.

“I heard about the opportunity with NTT through Dr. Cornett and then submitted a cover letter and résumé,” Murphy said. “Eventually I would like to work in the health field, specifically neuroscience at this point. This exchange will give me a better idea of what research and design is like in the real world.”

It is clear through these sponsored projects and fellowships that NTT and UW-P are in this relationship for the long haul, Ford said.

“In terms of globalization and the world… anytime you can have this opportunity to broaden that circle of knowledge… it provides you with more opportunities to decide how you want to approach life,” Daus said.

“Even if you don’t understand the technicals it will be great to just hear about life and business in Japan,” Ford said.

There were five presentations throughout the day on Wednesday, Nov. 14, given by senior executives and vice presidents of NTT. To learn more about NTT and its relationship with UW-P, students can stop in at one of NTT’s offices on the third floor of Pioneer Tower.