Purdue News

August 13, 1999 Internet site connects industry with Purdue resources WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- As part of its efforts to promote economic development, Purdue has opened a Web site that gives businesses a single point of access to the university's expertise and facilities. The Web site is part of Connect Indiana, a program designed to make Purdue more accessible to the private sector. Connect Indiana's Web site and its searchable database provide a comprehensive overview of the university's research, expertise, programs and technology. Access to this Web site is free. "We were looking for ways to improve Indiana businesses' access to Purdue," said John Schneider, Purdue's assistant vice president for industry research and outreach. "With Internet usage dramatically increasing, Purdue's Sponsored Programs Development office launched the Web site to help the private sector connect online with Purdue's faculty expertise and world-class facilities." The Connect Indiana program was designed primarily for Indiana companies, but corporations throughout the world can use its Web site as they look for Purdue sources to meet their needs for advanced information, new technologies, help with problems, and employee recruitment. "Let's say a company wants to find out what Purdue is doing in the field of tribology the study of friction between interacting parts," said Jeffrey Gunsher, associate director of Purdue's Office of Industry Research and Technology Programs. "A company employee enters our Web site, goes to the resource page and searches for the word. The search results list several professors conducting research on tribology and a description of the Mechanical Engineering Tribology Laboratory. Now this business has the contacts it needs to investigate the research further with the possibility of forming a strategic partnership." Connect Indiana is sponsored by the Office of Industry Research, which is part of the Purdue Research Foundation, a nonprofit corporation that serves as a point of contact for faculty and corporations interested in research partnerships. Sources: John Schneider, (765) 494-5532; jas@purdue.edu Jeffrey Gunsher, (765) 496-3723; jgunsher@purdue.edu Writer: Jeanine Smith, (765) 496-3133; jeanine_smith@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page