The McLeod
Institute of Simulation Sciences (MISS)
of the Society for
Modeling and Simulation International (SCS)
Annual
Meeting
Vadreuil Room,
Montreal Wyndham Hotel
Minutes
T. Ören convened the meeting at 1500. B. Loftin was appointed as temporary secretary.
A list of attendees is appended to these minutes.
1. Welcome and Introductions
T. Ören welcomed those in attendance and distributed the agenda for the meeting. Each attendee then provided a brief introduction.
T. Ören welcomed the
newest
2. Agenda
There were no additions or corrections to the agenda.
3. Presentations of Annual Reports
T. Ören then called for
the presentation of individual
· Hungarian Center—A. Javor (written report)
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· Old Dominion Center—B. Loftin (written report); noted that the report submitted covers only calendar year 2002
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R. Huntsinger stated that the Mexico City Center Director was not present due to a delayed flight.
4. “Inactive” Centers
T. Ören then directed the meeting to consider Centers that had not submitted reports. Centers that were identified as inactive (no report submitted) in 2002 were still inactive.
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T. Ören and R. Huntsinger will insure that each of these Centers is invited to submit their annual report.
T. Ören noted three potential new Centers:
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F. Cellier noted that
5. Recommendations for Improvements
T. Ören noted that some links to MISS activities from the main MISS website are not active.
F. Cellier stated that the MISS network was strong as evidenced by the good attendance at the meeting.
A. Javor pointed out that many Centers do excellent work, but joint efforts are needed. Such joint efforts could be best realized through external funding. He went on to encourage consideration of joint M&S educational programs and the awarding of joint degrees. On possibility is the award of Ph.D. degrees by institutions with MISS Centers with the MISS “imprimatur”. Finally, he mentioned the need for more workshops sponsored by MISS Centers.
T. Ören encouraged the development of a matrix that would demonstrate the area(s) of expertise available from the MISS Centers.
F. Cellier noted that this was a good time to seek external funds, especially from the European Union (EU). Such funds could be used for M&S research and education, particularly for those nations now joining the EU. He went on to point out that the SCS is appointing a new Vice President for Education. This new office could serve as a focal point for coordinating M&S degree programs and, potentially, work toward a means of accrediting such programs.
R. Huntsinger reported
that he has met with officials from the
T. Ören asked R. Huntsinger to comment on R. Crosbie’s efforts in undergraduate M&S education. R. Crosbie has been developing common core courses; a meeting may be held next year to work on this endeavor.
F. Barros indicated an interest in starting a European program to network Ph.D. students from the European MISS Centers using EU funding.
N. Giambiasi responded that any joint educational efforts could face a complex process for approval.
A. Javor noted that cooperation at the Ph.D. level would be far easier than at the bachelor’s or master’s levels.
T. Ören will discuss these issues with R. Crosbie. He noted that the Association for Computing Machinery has a model curriculum for Computer Science. Could not the MISS Centers produce a model curriculum for M&S at all levels?
F. Cellier pointed out that accrediting agencies do not generally go down to the individual course level in their specifications, but rather seek to standardize outcomes (skills and knowledge).
B. Zeigler and R. Huntsinger both expressed support for the concept of a model curriculum.
B. Zeigler went on to state that he (as SCS President) would direct the new SCS Vice President for Education to work with R. Crosbie.
T. Ören mentioned the SimSummit efforts to develop an M&S Body of Knowledge specification.
F. Cellier recommended that the MISS Centers develop a spreadsheet to capture their educational programs (courses) while the other activities mentioned mature.
T. Ören also noted that the Code of Professional Ethics in M&S that he proposed has been widely discussed and adopted by some organizations.
B.
T. Ören stated that the SISO Canada has adopted the Code of Professional Ethics for M&S.
R. Huntsinger noted that R. Crosbie is very involved in the Simulation Education Effort with a focus on the needed skills and a model curriculum for undergraduate education. This effort will evolve toward the master’s level but not the doctoral level.
T. Ören then discussed the potential for the MISS Centers to organize a speaker’s group for M&S. A small committee could be appointed to select speakers and topics that would be “accredited” by the MISS.
B. Loftin mentioned that professional societies that sponsor such speakers (IEEE Computer Society, Sigma Xi, etc.) provide funding to support these programs.
B. Zeigler suggested that the MISS Centers be encouraged to invite outside speakers. MISS could then maintain a list of speakers and topics (with abstracts) and post in on the MISS website.
R. Huntsinger stated that he would encourage a software exchange program between Centers. He went on to recommend that F. Barros coordinate such an effort.
6. Recommendations for the MISS and Center Websites
T. Ören asked those present suggest items for the MISS website:
7. Proposed Policies and Procedures for the MISS
T. Ören reported that
he current MISS Policies and Procedures (PaP) was adopted
F. Cellier agreed that a new PaP was needed. The SCS has an Associate Vice President for Policies under the Executive Committee. The current PaP for MISS is in the MISS Handbook and should be edited to reflect the new PaP.
T. Ören noted that he has reviewed the current PaP and presented his vision for a new PaP. Some areas in need of attention are the current PaP’s inability to accommodate some organizations (such as the Army Modeling and Simulation Office). The new PaP should provide a means of linking to these types of organizations.
T. Ören then distributed a handout on M&SNet and noted that it could have a fee structure.
R. Huntsinger noted that M&SNet is parallel to MISS, with a fee structure as the major difference. He suggested that the restrictions on MISS membership to allow other organizations to join. All MISS Centers could automatically be part of the M&SNet.
F. Cellier agreed that a fee for membership in M&SNet would be a good idea; existing Centers should be allowed to join the consortium.
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F. Cellier and B. Zeigler discussed issues that could arise, including conflicts of interest.
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M. Itmi expressed concern about the cost of membership. He noted that most interested parties attended SCS conference with high registration fees.
B. Zeigler responded by noting that the membership fee in M&SNet could allow reduced registration fees, reduced publication costs, etc.
T. Ören stated that MISS Centers do not pay a membership fee, but M&SNet members would pay.
B. Zeigler encouraged that the MISS Centers recommend to the SCS Board of Directors that M&SNet be established. A motion to this effect was made, seconded, and unanimously adopted.
T. Ören adjourned the meeting at 1802.
Respectfully submitted,
R.
Temporary Secretary
Meeting Attendance
Name |
Affiliation |
Email
Address |
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U. of Coimbra, Portugal |
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Genoa Centre |
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François E. Cellier |
U. of Arizona |
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Abdelkhalok El Hami |
INSA-Rouen France |
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Bruce |
Boeing (retired) |
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Claudia Frydman |
LISI, France |
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Norbert Giambiasi |
LISI, France |
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U. Calgary; CalStateU, Chico |
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INSA-Rouen, France |
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Hungarian Center |
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R. |
Old Dominion Center |
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T. Ören |
Ottawa Center |
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U. Central Florida |
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M. Snorek |
CTU Bragne, CR |
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U. Arizona |