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NIU College of Business and HAVI partner to launch the HAVI Center for Analytics and Technology

March 6, 2023

Northern Illinois University College of Business is pleased to announce the launch of the HAVI Center for Analytics and Technology (HCAT). This new lab represents the College’s commitment to experiential learning. HCAT will have cutting-edge technologies and, through real-world projects in partnership with HAVI, will prepare students for occupations of the future. Located on the third floor in the beautiful Barsema Hall, the lab will focus on industry-relevant, hands-on learning experiences in five key areas: machine learning, blockchain, big data, internet of things, and artificial intelligence.

“We are excited to partner with the NIU College of Business to launch the HAVI Center for Analytics and Technology,” said Rodney Brown, Senior VP & Chief Supply Chain Officer at HAVI. “This initiative will be a game changer for HAVI and our partners, not to mention NIU students and data analytics leaders of the future. Our success as an organization depends on attracting and retaining top talent, and HCAT will be an important part of our strategy to attract top huskie talent to HAVI. Access to outstanding faculty researchers will also enable HAVI to stay at the forefront of solving difficult challenges in the areas of analytics and supply chain and provides access to the latest technology in this space.” He added, “NIU’s commitment to innovation in the space of data analytics made them the ideal partner in this initiative.”

HAVI, a global leader in supply chain analytics solutions, has made a significant financial and engagement commitment to this project, recognizing the need for intellectual talent in the field of AI and analytics. HAVI’s values align with NIU College of Business mission to nurture young minds to be leaders who transform the world. To honor this partnership and commitment, the data analytics lab will be named the HAVI Center for Analytics and Technology.

“We are thrilled to partner with HAVI to establish this new Center for Analytics and Technology. HAVI’s generous donation will support acquisition of cutting-edge hardware and software for student learning and faculty research. Investments will also be made in student experiences and other aspects of faculty research. The lab will not only be a resource for all College of Business students but for all students at NIU. We expect the lab to be a hub for collaborating with Computer Science and other disciplines across campus” said Dean Balaji Rajagopalan.

The Operations and Management Information Systems (OMIS) department in the College of Business will play a key role in bringing together talent across the College and campus to bring the vision of the lab to life. Noting the excitement, the Chair of OMIS, Dr. Chang Liu says, “With nationally recognized programs in Management Information Systems and Data Analytics, this lab will help us remain at the cutting edge of developments and further elevate the reputation of our programs. Our students will benefit from the collaboration with HAVI by learning through challenging real-world projects. And faculty scholars who are outstanding researchers will benefit from connecting their research to practice that makes an impact.”

The College of Business is committed to providing students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the rapidly evolving field of data analytics. The establishment of the HAVI Center for Analytics and Technology is a testament to this commitment and a significant step forward for the College.

Reflecting on the pivotal moment of the launch of the HCAT, Executive Vice President and Provost Beth Ingram noted, “NIU’s strategic priorities include a significant focus on data analytics and artificial intelligence. With the launch of HCAT, we will have made an important investment in these areas. I look forward to hearing the stories of student success and excellent faculty research emerging from the NIU College of Business – HAVI partnership. I am particularly pleased to see that HCAT will bring students and researchers from across all areas of campus.”