International Technological University
Volume III, Issue 4, Fall 2013
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Knowing. doing. Growing. “
I wish to do something Great and Wonderful, But I must start by doing the little things like they were Great and Wonderful -Albert Einstein
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Illustration By Spandana Pulavarapu
Welcome J-1 scholars
Information for New Students
Institutional Review Board
By Sophia Gu
By Sophia Gu
By Frank Aguilera, Ph.D.
“… To increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchanges.”
Being a new student can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! Learn about resources on campus that can help you thrive at ITU.
Research can be described as the process of learning things that are of interest. Often times, it involves gathering or developing information from human subjects. PG.
- Fulbright-Hayes Act of 1961
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International Technological University
Volume III, Issue 4, fall 2013
ITU, like all institutions, is looking for growth and development. Continuous growth means a successful work environment: with great leader vision, valuable employees, and great faculty and staff. As ITU grows, there is a need to employ more staff with various skills. Making the right hiring choices for staff and faculty can ensure the university continues to succeed. The process of continuous growth is tied to both professional accomplishment and personal achievement. ITU leaders take an active role in employee professional development activities, show interest in their improvement, and share their success. Over the past few years, ITU has grown from a small campus to its present larger location, with a diversified faculty and staff. If we ask ITU executives how this success was achieved, the answer will be: a focus on employees’ skills. Along the way through ITU’s history, the university’s success has been rooted and established in its culture, which planted the seeds for growth. ITU’s leadership built up a method for success by looking independently and carefully for new ideas, better vision, and great people. ITU aims to create a family feeling so that workers feel close to each other and become loyal. The close environment fosters close communication and teamwork, leading to better outcomes. As a leading institution, ITU values growth specifically in terms of gaining knowledge. To continue growing, there is a need to work on knowing the university’s strengths and weaknesses, its goals and objectives, and where it is going. We also grow by reaching out to others and sharing knowledge. ITU does this through workshops to the internal and external communities. The workshop setting highlights new ideas and training for colleagues and staff. Storytelling is another good way to share knowledge: ITU is fostering teams in the storytelling process who are telling our stories to the community. Being open to the world achieves growth both internally and externally. Being open internally means communicating among leaders, faculty, staff and students in frequent lunch and team activities. Externally we open up to the world by attending conferences. ITU executive teams visit foreign universities. Now we are even offering a course in a foreign language! Opening to the world will increase our knowledge base, which supports our overall goals.
What’s Inside The theme of the fall issue of ITU Journal issue is university growth. How can we tell ITU is growing? This issue will show growth in two areas: education and personnel. As a result of being WASC accredited, and to achieve educational growth, ITU is approved to accept students with a J-1 visa for graduate school education. The requirements and contact information is featured in the article “Welcome J-1 scholars”. This program will help students and scholars to visit the US to study and teach. Further growth at ITU is indicated by the new Language Development Program courses, designed to help students improve their writing and English communication skills. Distance learning or online courses is another milestone for ITU’s educational growth. For the first time, ITU will offer online courses this fall. And to make sure the students will get the best overall learning, ITU has extensively trained the online course faculty. You’ll also see evidence of personnel growth at ITU, demonstrated by the hiring of new executives and staff. To know about these new individuals and their positions, read the “Our Growing Family” page.
Continuous growth indicates improvement, achievement, and success.
In addition, the DBA program will add a policy and program for collecting research data. The “Research at ITU” article discusses the policy we will institute, as required by the Code of Federal Regulation (CFR). And to understand how we use Math in all aspects of life, see the “Math and Your Daily Life” article.
Amal Mougharbel, Ph.D. Business Administration Department Chair Editor in Chief, ITU Journal
Our growth goes hand in hand with how we care about our people. The “ITU Appreciates You” article is a good example. You’ll read how the HR department dedicated the month of July to greeting all our students, faculty, and staff. Enjoy!
Lastly as a part of all these processes, we grow in understanding. Understanding is defined as the application of building up knowledge and experience. ITU understands the necessity to offer global and cutting-edge education, through both on-campus and online programs.
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Volume III, Issue 4, Fall 2013
Welcome J-1 scholars Introducing the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program By Sophia Gu Continued from page 1
During visit - J-1 visa holders must engage in cultural exchange activities, participate in program activities, maintain their “J-1 status,” and abide by all laws & program policies. J-1 visitors are not allowed to participate in unauthorized employment or educational activities.
The US Department of State has granted ITU approval to host J-1 students, professors, research scholars, and specialists! The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program will open doors for talented students and scholars to visit, study, and teach at ITU. A few things to know about applying for a J-1 visa: Funding - J-1 exchange visitors must show proof of external funds (non-personal funds being sponsored by a company/government) covering the majority for their program.
Post visit - After the completion of a J-1 exchange program, visitors are required to physically return to their home country for a period of two years. Under certain circumstances, this requirement can be waived.
Prior to visit - An application must first be submitted to ITU for approval. Then, the J-1 visitor can set up an appointment with their local consulate (www.usembassy.gov). Once the visa is issued, they can arrange travel to the USA.
The Responsible Officer (RO) and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) will help facilitate the application and exchange process. To discuss applying for a J-1 visa, please email the RO/ARO or call (888) 488-4968 to make an appointment anytime.
For more information, contact:
Mikel Duffy – mduffy@itu.edu Associate Director of Innovation/ Responsible Officer/ Primary Designated School Official
Amy Chaung – achaung@itu.edu Admissions Officer/Alternate Responsible Officer/ Designated School Official
Evelyn Tsao – tevelyn@itu.edu Assistant Registrar/ Designated School Official
Sophia Gu received her BA in English literature, with Departmental Highest Honors, from UCLA and her MA in Renaissance literature from the University of Virginia. Now, as a writer at ITU, she is focused on telling good stories, staying curious, and drinking lots and lots of English Breakfast tea.
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International Technological University
Volume III, Issue 4, fall 2013 Faculty is always appreciated because without their tireless efforts students would not come to the school. Faculty puts in countless hours of class preparation, teaching, grading, evaluating, and mentoring. Most of our faculty have additional responsibilities at other institutions, businesses, and projects so their wonderful attention to our students is greatly admired.
ITU appreciates YOU By Ron Mortenson
Students, Faculty & Staff are all deeply appreciated by ITU.
Finally, our staff chooses to be a part of ITU, advancing the finest in quality education opportunities for all. ITU recognizes that staff have a choice of where to work and we are extremely pleased that you choose to work at ITU. Your bright smiling faces and your positive attitudes help contribute to a very pleasant work environment. You are each greatly appreciated for all your hard work.
We designated July 2013 as Student Appreciation Month. Each day of July an email reminder was sent to all staff & faculty encouraging them to think of students and smile, greet, and thank them for being at ITU. An announcement was posted on our monitor bulletin boards, thanking students for attending ITU. Special student activities were held including a Weekend BBQ, a bowling night, and a special goodie bag was given to students during finals week. These activities were well received by all.
This new fiscal year promises to be an exciting time of change and growth for our campus and we are very happy to have everyone along for the ride. Although sometimes a ride can be bumpy, like a roller coaster, it is also very exhilarating and fun. Thanks to all for being here and being part of the ITU family.
New Language Development Program
ITU welcomes Aida to HR By Lei Liang
By Patty Wiggin
ITU has created the Language Development Program (LDP) to provide instruction and support to non-native speakers of English. Starting Fall 2013, ITU will offer Intermediate and Advanced Language Development course offerings for improved English communications skills. Students Patty Wiggin, Language Development Program Manager will be required to demonstrate a level of English proficiency sufficient to successfully participate in graduate-school educational activities. The courses will concentrate on improving communications skills for graduate-level activities including business-related writing, research and research project presentations, and group projects. Get started on enhancing your English communication skills today!
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It is my great pleasure to introduce my coworker, Aida Smailagic. Aida has over 15 years of management experience in the retail industry for high-end boutiques like Cartier and Salvatore Ferragamo. Prior to joining ITU, she was a Aida Smailagic manager at Cartier in the Stanford Shopping Center. Each day, I am fortunate to work with such a talented individual: Aida is intelligent, sophisticated, organized, responsible, and considerate. Further, she is always eager to help staff, students, and faculty. She treats them with professionalism and respect. There is a lot one could learn from her! Aida is definitely a great addition to our ITU team. Outside ITU, Aida is passionate about cooking and baking. She also enjoys reading books, doing Pilates, and spending time with family and friends.
Volume III, Issue 4, Fall 2013
Our Growing Family
Rebecca Choi Chief Operating Officer
Caroline Bailer Admissions Representative
Maria Rocha Front Desk
Ada Ng Staff Accountant
Alexa Bridge Admissions Representative
Mary Tran Admissions Representative
Gabriel Lopez Facilities Assistant
Kevin Richmond Desk Monitor Lead
Naomi Elliot Information Center and Library Receptionist
Valerie Face Technical Support Engineer
Jonelle Howard International Student Advisor
Lizbeth Arceo Front Desk
Priyanka Gajanur Software Support Specialist
Sophia Gu Writer
Victor Pudeyev Senior Software Engineer
Jonathan Kasten Network Administrator
Adam Martine Student Records Specialist
Aaron Powell Desk Monitor
Angela Chapa Admissions Representative
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International Technological University
Volume III, Issue 4, fall 2013
Information for New Students
Did You Know?
By Sophia Gu
Continued from page 1
KNOW YOUR SURROUNDINGS
ITU wants every one of its students to feel safe and secure during their stay here. Here are a few simple safety practices established by the National Crime Prevention Council, that should be a part of your routine as you travel to and from campus: • Watch where you are going and what is going on around you. Do not let a cell phone conversation or listening to music distract you. • Walk along well-lit and busy streets. • Park in a well-lighted area and always lock your car. • Walk with friends or a campus security escort. You can request this service at the front lobby or call the University Night Security Hotline at (408)469-3001. • If someone tries to rob you, do not resist. Your life is more valuable than replaceable possessions. Focus on his or her physical characteristics (clothing, height, weight, and last known direction of travel) so that you can provide information to the police. • Report any suspicious behavior on campus to HR or Operations at any time. • In case of an urgent emergency situation, please dial 911 to call the San Jose Police Department. When adjusting to a new environment, it is always a good idea to be extra aware of your surroundings. Exercising vigilance and common sense precautions can help prevent crime. Stay safe!
FIRST SEMESTER INTERNSHIPS
Realizing that the prevailing model of education did not prepare students for success in the real world, Dr. Shu-Park Chan established ITU in 1994 with an eye towards application-focused courses, abundant internship opportunities, and access to instructors with extensive industrial expertise. As such, industry-relevant practical training is at the core of an ITU education; every student is required to complete an internship as a core component of the ITU curriculum. ITU provides a number of on-campus resources to help students participate in internships, starting from their very first semester. Please consult the Registration Guidelines on the ITU website or visit the Admissions Office to learn more about the application process. You can also go to the Student Success Center to see internship/job postings, receive feedback on your resume, and make an appointment for a one-on-one consultation. Apply for an internship today and take the first step towards your career.
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Online Classes
Starting in Fall 2013, ITU will offer four online courses to current students. Two are from the Business Administration program: International Accounting and Concepts of Healthcare Management. Another is offered from Software Engineering: Data Structures. Lastly, one is from Electrical Engineering: Digital Signal Processing.
Website Redesign 2013
In early September, ITU will be launching a redesigned version of the main website. This redesign will feature a fresher look, with navigation better suited for prospective students. The goal is to improve information architecture so current students, faculty, and staff can find website destinations more quickly! Check us out at http://itu.edu.
Faculty “Academic Talk” Workshop
There will be two Faculty “Academic Talk” workshops in September and November 2013, held by Business Administration. The September session will cover development and usage of Rubrics as a foundation of the course for assessment of student learning. Secondly we will request feedback from faculty on the language needs of business students. The November workshop will be on weekend courses as ITU’s unique course offerings include weekday and weekend courses. These faculty sessions foster better communication within the Business Department team of faculty.
New programs 2014
ITU is working towards offering Bachelor of Science programs in Business Administration and Computer Science, as well as full online programs for MBA and Master of Science in Software Engineering. The programs will start in Fall 2014. ITU is preparing the substantive change documents to submit to WASC for approval.
Volume III, Issue 4, Fall 2013
The Link Between Posture and Confidence Your body can help you to be your true self By Patty Wiggin
Therefore, in job interviews or a group presentation our best performance would be if we were confident and relaxed.
Did you know your mother was right when she said, “Sit UP Straight!”
The results found that holding a power pose (about two minutes) produces high testosterone (the aggressive or assertive hormone) and reduced cortisol (the stress-induced hormone). The bottom line: we are more self-assured and cool-headed.
Harvard Social Psychologist Amy Cuddy researches the link between posture, body stance, physiological effects and a person’s performance. Specifically, Professor Cuddy studied how nonverbal body language affects a person’s ability to be relaxed yet confident prior to a job interview or a task for public speaking.
Alternatively, the slouching, non-power pose produces more cortisol or stress hormone and reduced testosterone. In short, shrinking into your chair actually signals your body you are not powerful, confident and may be stressed. Then when you interact or perform, you are not at your best.
Amy Cuddy’s research shows the hormonal effects that posture has on our bodies. When we strike a constricted pose, (slouching, crossing arms or hunching) versus a power pose (expansive and open), our hormones respond.
You can read Amy J. C. Cuddy, Caroline A. Wilmuth and Dana R. Carney’s findings in the 2012 Harvard Business Review article: Preparatory Power Posing Affects Performance and Outcomes in Social Evaluations. The next time you face a situation where you’ll be socially evaluated, stand up like Wonder Woman for about two minutes. Your body will understand and may help you do your best.
If you can’t visualize what constitutes a power pose, think Wonder Woman. She stands up straight, legs slightly apart with hands planted on her waist. Another power pose: think of the song “YMCA” and the person’s pose for the first letter: Y. But why should we be concerned about poses and hormones? First, we all enter into situations where people judge us based on our ability to deliver information, persuade, or socially connect.
For this simple plan, you naturally consider all these items numerically in your mind. Based on the numbers, you finalize your plan. But the reality is that you are modeling your plan. The modeling and the measurement of probabilities are the fundamentals of mathematics that can be applied to the world around you.
Math and your daily life By Avid Farhoodfar
Many people think math and statistics do not apply in real life. But we live our lives based on them! Think about if you were planning a vacation with friends to Napa Valley for three days. Here are the steps you would take: 1. Are you available those days? Alright, you are available! 2. What are your expenses? You list them: • Transportation from San Jose to Napa Valley • Three days accommodation • Food • Vineyard tours (probably you’d like to visit some vineyards and taste some wines) • Some souvenirs
As a math instructor, I believe our contact with math starts with kindergarten. We learn more each year to earn our high school diploma. Then we enroll in university studies for undergraduate and graduate levels. The reality is Mathematics is the same Mathematics. But now we know more details and tricks about it. It is all about knowing how to play the game, and practice makes it perfect. Pay attention to the details. If you do, you will see that math is never too far from what we learned in elementary school.
Avid Farhoodfar is a Professor of Electrical Engineering. She teaches advanced math courses such as Applied Mathematics Methods and Numerical Analysis. She received her B.Sc in Solid State Physics from Beheshti University, Tehran. She has two Master’s degrees, one in Plasma Physics from IAU, Tehran and one in Condensed Matter Physics from Brock University, Ontario. She received her Ph.D. from Queen’s University, Ontario, studying condensed matter and material sciences.
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International Technological University
team Editor-in-Chief: Amal Mougharbel, Ph.D. Manager: Hubert Chang Editorial Board: Barbara Arnoldussen Patricia Wiggin Coordinator: Albina Pereira Contributors: Frank Aguilera, Ph.D. Avid Farhoodfar Sophia Gu Lei Liang Ron Mortensen Spandana Pulavarapu Designer: Kathia Rubi
International Technological University “Global Development through Silicon Valley Education” 355 W. San Fernando Street San Jose, CA 95113 www.itu.edu
International Technological University is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, 985 Atlantic Avenue, # 100, Alameda, CA 94501, 510-748-9001. The views expressed in articles are those of the writers only and not of ITU. ITU Journal is not responsible for accuracy of information cited in the news and events. The Editorial Board reserves the right to edit submissions, with contributions capped at 300 words. Plagiarized submissions will be discarded.
Volume III, Issue 4, fall 2013
Institution Review Board Supports Research at ITU By Frank Aguilera, Ph.D. Continued from page 1
Researchers must be cognizant of protecting and respecting individual privacy, as well as protecting information obtained from those individuals. Research involving human subject data may be sensitive or private, requiring special handling. Both the individual and the information must be appropriately and carefully handled. Fortunately, the Federal Government has developed policies and laws to protect human subjects during the conduct of research studies. These policies and laws are contained in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Specifically, CFR Title 21, Part 56 covers this process. This ITU Journal article provides a very high-level discussion of the CFR Title 21, Part 56 requirements as they pertain to an educational institution like International Technological University (ITU). We will implement these processes to address research requirements.
MY MUMBAI By Albina Pereira
Mumbai is popularly known as the city of dreams, It is the perfect frosting that doesn’t require any creams, It is a city which never ever sleeps, Where you find crowds of people all over the streets. Mumbai and its embrace is warm and welcoming, Where even an outsider feels like residing, My favorite part about Mumbai is the rain, There’s nothing about Mumbai that anyone could ever complain. The food it offers is so delicious and mouth watering, What’s on your mind? Please send your thoughts to newsletter@itu.edu.
Please remember to recycle!
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CFR Title 21 Part 56 requires that organizations involved in conducting research establish an Institutional Review Board (IRB). Federal standards require the university to establish an IRB with scientists and non-scientists on the team. This team reviews all proposed research involving human subjects, to ensure that their safety and welfare are protected. Thus, all research activity involving human subjects requires review and approval by an IRB, prior to human subject recruitment and research data collection. The IRB will also review the use of any extant data or private information. ITU is currently developing its policy to meet CFR Title 21 Part 56. Our research policy must also comply with the Belmont Report ( published in September 1978), created by the National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects for Biomedical and Behavioral Research. This report covered ethical principles that form the basis for existing policies and laws, specifically ethical considerations for persons, beneficence (do no harm), and justice. ITU will continue to make strides in developing its WASC accredited research capabilities and developing our institutional policies.
The entire combination of fun and excitement is breathtaking, Mumbai is full of life, glamor, and sound, Where dreams come true and will make you stick around. Mumbai is famous for its crowded trains, Dishes like Vada Pav and Pani Puri will blow your brains, Once you come here you would never want to leave, Here people roam with their hearts on their sleeve. I am craving to set my foot in Mumbai again, I want to relive my childhood and my youth there again, Its a glorious adventure all together, Its a city where the country comes together. To find out more about ITU, visit www.itu.edu.
ISSN: 2161-8054