Monday, February 19, 2001
Unraveling a mystery
Contract for athletic director renewed; Dooley to retire in 2003
Greek Park housing concepts under discussion
Campus Closeup
Newsmakers
Special ed prof named director of School of Professional Studies
The past remembered
Internet ventures link up at IT forum organized by management information systems department
Connections
By David Dodson
ddodson@terry.uga.edu

The Terry College of Business has begun hosting periodic meetings for people interested in Internet-based businesses. It’s called the Internet Technology Forum, and it was started by management information systems professor Rick Watson. Columns asked Watson how the series got rolling and who can benefit.

Columns: How did the idea for the Internet Technology Forum originate?
Watson: The forum is the confluence of two other ventures in which I am involved, the new master of Internet technology program and the Center for Information Systems Leadership. I, and quite a few others, believe that Athens is an ideal location for Internet-based businesses and it will benefit from attracting and growing such firms. CISL studies information-systems leadership and also wants to be a source of leadership on IS issues. So the forum was a natural activity for the center to initiate and start sponsoring last fall.
When the master of Internet technology program was designed, we included a six credit-hour project, which requires students to develop an Internet-based application. These projects are more useful and motivating when there is a real client. Thus, we were interested in making contact with Internet-based businesses in the Athens area. Also, in other classes, faculty are often looking for interesting projects with outside clients.

Columns: What purpose does the forum serve?
Watson: The forum brings together those with a common interest in Internet-based business, including managers, academics, students and the people promoting economic development in Athens. It provides a venue for learning about and discussing issues of mutual concern, such as creating a business plan, getting venture capital and protecting intellectual assets.

Columns: Are you seeing other benefits to the gatherings?
Watson: The main long-term benefit is the linkage between the Athens business community and the Terry College. Terry is a tremendous source of knowledge and experience on which the local business community could draw, but it is a very untapped resource. We have faculty who are on boards of directors and advisers for start-ups, who write books on electronic commerce, and consult to companies throughout the world. Both parties can benefit from a closer relationship. Businesses can gain access to leading-edge knowledge, and students can complete realistic projects. Everyone can gain from greater interaction.

Columns: Is this meant to be a discussion for academics and hard-core techies?
Watson: No, the forum is for those who want to learn how to create a successful Internet-based business. Of course, this often requires sound knowledge of technology, because technology is the bedrock of all of these businesses.

Columns: Who have you had as speakers?
Watson: Dean George Benson of the Terry College was the first speaker. He was followed by Ben Dyer, the chairman of Intellimedia Commerce in Atlanta. Raj Rajan, co-founder of eLaunchPad, and John Harris, an intellectual property lawyer with the firm of Morris, Manning, and Martin, also have spoken.

NEXT MEETING
Paul Chambers
Chairman of the Board
Athens Area Chamber of Commerce
Feb. 20, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
314 Sanford Hall
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