‘Smarter Planet’ tour comes to Notre Dame

The University of Notre Dame will become part of a “Smarter
Planet” during a day of campus activities sponsored by IBM from 3:15-7:30 p.m. on
Thursday, April 14.

The activities are a part of IBM’s “Smarter Planet Comes to You” University skills tour scheduled to visit more than 30
universities in the United States and Europe in 2011. The objective of the tour
is to introduce students to the skills and technology needed for the global
marketplace. It’s part of IBM’s Smarter Planet initiative, a comprehensive
approach to integrating complex systems to be more instrumented, intelligent
and interconnected.  This involves a wide
arrange of topics, from sustainability, to management of city growth, to
advanced computing technology.

“IBM works deeply with universities and their students
to help make the world a smarter place – 
one where we live in smart cities that have advanced technology in key
areas like healthcare, energy and transportation,” said Jim Corgel,
general manager of IBM’s Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) and Development
Relations. “The Smarter Planet Comes to You Tour is a fun way to raise
student awareness around the Smarter Planet initiative and make it real to our
next generation of business and technology leaders.”

The event kicks off at 3:15 p.m. with a scavenger hunt
starting at Heritage Hall that is open to all Notre Dame undergraduate and
graduate students. Registration
is required. Participants in the 60-minute hunt or “trek” earn points by
fulfilling a number of tasks, such as shooting a photo, scanning a QR code or
solving a puzzle.  Prizes will be awarded
for the first- through fourth-place teams, with the first-place team winning a
$400 grand prize. Students also will have the opportunity to visit IBM kiosks
to learn more about jobs and skill development, play the CityOne city-planning
game online, and learn about the analytics behind Watson Jeopardy! experience.

The hunt is followed by a 5:30 p.m. talk by Corgel in the
Monogram Room located in the Joyce Center, who will give an overview of the
Smarter Planet initiative.

Corgel’s talk is followed at 5:45 p.m. by a panel discussion,
“Building
a Smarter Planet for Future Leaders,” involving several Notre Dame
faculty members, IBM experts and Gary A. Gilot, the director of public works
for the City of South Bend, who was named the nation’s 2010 “Public Works
Leader of the Year.”

Additional panelists include:

·       
Tim Ruggaber, director of Operations, EmNet

·       
Suzanne Coshow, professional specialist, Mendoza
College of Business

·       
Robert Dunn, professional specialist, Notre Dame
Center for Nano Science and Technology

A networking reception closes the evening. For more information
or to register, visit http://www.smarterplanetcomestoyou.com/

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