University of Maryland Business School Wraps
Educational Mission into New Documentary
Robert H. Smith School of Business Offers
Free DVDs and Downloads to Educators

College Park, Md. – April 18, 2008 – The University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business is bringing technology themes from its leading programs and research to students and general audiences with a new documentary, now airing nationwide on public television stations. Smith will freely share the program — which explores information technology-enabled transformations — with schools and educators to help teach how firms, markets and industries are rapidly evolving with technological innovations. The Transformation Age: Surviving a Technology Revolution with Robert X. Cringely was co-produced by Smith and Maryland Public Television (MPT) and underwritten by the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX).

"In creating The Transformation Age, the Smith School aims to educate people on emerging challenges and to transform the way audiences think about business and technology," said Howard Frank, dean of the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business. "There are important realities we all need to be prepared for — as students, business managers, citizens and educators."

The Smith School is providing copies of a companion book, "Inside the Future: Surviving the Technology Revolution," and documentary DVD free to select educators nationwide. Additionally, an online educators’ guide (www.rhsmith.umd.edu/transformationage) offers any school or educator open access to documentary clips, downloads and lesson plans. The guide offers helpful suggestions for integrating the documentary into the classroom and providing students with a framework to help them identify and leverage information technology.

"An ability to deal with the transformative impact of technology is now a critical skill," said Hank Lucas, chair of the decision, operations and information technologies department at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business, author of "Inside the Future: Surviving the Technology Revolution" and a documentary co-writer. "The power of technology can be harnessed to offer huge competitive advantages while, on the flip side, missing the boat can have dire outcomes for nations, firms and individuals."

It is generally recognized that a dynamic knowledge-based economy is placing new demands on workers, and requiring new skill sets from business leaders. A 2007 report from the AeA, an association representing the technology industry, underscores the relationship between national competitiveness and understanding of science and technology to drive innovation. A recent report from the group highlights deteriorating U.S. competitive advantage and signals an urgency to act: "The United States must confront the crisis in teaching science and technology to our students; if we do not, our lead in these areas is at risk."

The Transformation Age is hosted by Robert X. Cringely, writer, commentator and host of Triumph of the Nerds, Electric Money and Nerd TV, and directed by Frank Batavick.

About the University of Maryland’s
Robert H. Smith School of Business
The Robert H. Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized leader in management education and research. One of 14 colleges and schools at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Smith School offers undergraduate, full-time and part-time MBA, executive MBA, executive MS, PhD and executive education programs, as well as outreach services to the corporate community. The school offers its degree, custom and certification programs in learning locations on three continents — North America, Europe and Asia.

About Maryland Public Television
Maryland Public Television (MPT) is a leader in the production of broadcast programming for public television. MPT’s local/regional television credits include public affairs, original performance, documentary and entertainment programs for the citizens of Maryland and for viewers around the country.