Tech Week GR to showcase Grand Valley faculty, programs

Grand Valley, the Padnos College of Engineering and the College of Computing will highlight their innovative programs and faculty during the third Tech Week GR from September 16-21 in downtown Grand Rapids.

President Philomena V. Mantella, co-chair of the Tech Week GR Advisory Board, said the week’s events will give a glimpse into Grand Rapids’ future as a technological hub and will accentuate the opportunities available in the industry for Michigan’s future workforce.

"GVSU is excited to take a leading role in Tech Week GR, which will further our work to grow our region's talent and economy," Mantella said. "The collaboration and learning that will occur at Tech Week GR will propel the tech talent development needed to build West Michigan's future."

The week opens with the Tech Week Kickoff from 3-6 p.m. on September 16 at 20 Monroe. Stephen Dubner, author of Freaknomics , will be the keynote speaker. 

The Laker Store in the Grand Rapids Art Museum will serve as GVSU’s hub for the week and will provide more information about GVSU events. Visitors can interact and engage with Temi, a personal assistant robot, for more information about Grand Valley. Guests can also learn more about GVSU events this week, like The Blue Dot Experience, a look at the state-of-the-art research and work that will shape Michigan’s future economy. 

Along with Mantella, College of Computing Dean Marouane Kessentini and GVSU faculty and leadership will also participate during the week:

• September 17, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Kent Career Tech Center: Student Tech Showcase . Engineering Outreach Coordinator Sara Maas will be on hand to present STEM activities for Grand Rapids-area students.
• September 17, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Twisthink: Tech Talks: Health & Technology . Zachary DeBruine, assistant professor of computing, will participate in a six-person panel discussing topics on the intersection of health and technology, such as artificial intelligence in health care, telemedicine innovations and wearable health tech. 
• September 18, 3-5 p.m., John G. Russell Leadership Building: Tech Talks: AI & Data. Mantella and Kessentini will deliver opening and closing remarks at this panel. Panelists include Joseph Van Harken, GVSU’s innovator in residence and Michael Hyacinthe, founder & CEO of Wimage and lead instructor at GVSU’s Michigan Veteran Entrepreneur Lab.  
• September 18, 3:45-7:30 p.m., Loosemore Auditorium, DeVos Center: “Show Her The Money.” The documentary examines the challenges facing female entrepreneurs in raising capital for their projects. Mantella will participate in a panel discussion following the screening. 
• September 19, Noon-5 p.m., Seidman Center: Digital Transformation and the Future of Computing. Hosted by the College of Computing, a panel of industry executives will discuss how education and industry can shape the future of technology. Kessentini and TaRita Johnson, senior vice president of talent & diversity at The Right Place, will close the session with a conversation on the importance of attracting international talent to Grand Rapids. 
• September 19, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Eberhard Center: The Blue Dot Experience. Mantella and Kessentini will host the event, focusing on The Blue Dot ecosystem and Grand Valley’s innovative response to addressing the workforce shortage for Grand Rapids and transforming the region into a tech hub for industries. The College of Computing will be the cornerstone to The Blue Dot ecosystem, a reflection of GVSU’s commitment to increase digital literacy among students and enhance and expand tech talent for the region. Guests can also experience GVSU’s pioneering and cutting-edge research and tech that are evolving into real-world applications.

The Confluence Festival on September 20-21 at Rosa Parks Circle will conclude this year’s Tech Week GR with several exhibits sponsored by Grand Valley. The Future Innovators Zone presented by GVSU will feature hands-on, interactive exhibits featuring the Padnos College of Engineering,  the IT Innovation + Research Atomic Object Technology Showcase, the Regional Math and Science Center and the Art Gallery. 

GVSU Esports team will also showcase its skills during the Esports Expo , taking on teams from Central Michigan, Davenport, Ferris State, Michigan State, Oakland, Saint Xavier and the University of Michigan.