12/06/10 bdb

HAYS, Kan. -- Fort Hays State University is the newest supporter of the Massachusetts Institution of Technology's Lean Advancement Initiative (LAI) through it's membership in EdNet, the LAI Educational Network.

The network is an international group of universities and colleges working together with LAI's members to develop and deploy curricula based on LAI's latest research, practical knowledge and member best practices.

"Our faculty now has access to these great resources through EdNet," said Dr. Kyle Stone, assistant professor of management and marketing and director of the Management Development Center at FHSU. "Our faculty can use these resources to compliment their lean business education."

EdNet was started in and now includes some 50 member schools in the U.S., England, Italy, Mexico and Brazil. Faculty members from these schools, together with LAI participants, have developed lean educational curricula that are shared with LAI and EdNet members. The idea is to improve the flow of work, thereby improving quality and reducing production time and cost.

Another benefit of FHSU's membership is the resources available to the Management Development Center, which will begin hosting workshops and classes on lean business practices.

For more information about the Management Development Center, EdNet or LAI, please contact Stone at 785-628-4124 or kbstone@fhsu.edu.