Different cultures have different New Years... All the best to everyone celebrating this now.
For me this is another opportunity to put my wish for this proposed project to gain traction!
I saw a picture which was Linked to Tengku Djan's facebook.
This is Tengku Djan (Head of Sales and promo for Lotus in Malaysia) with Dr. Mahathir (Chairman of Proton and Lotus).
I was kind of hoping that Dr. M is asking Djan... "So what do you think of that Motorsport Uni proposal? Is John Mansfield OK?"
And of course Djan answers in the positive!
Stranger things have happened!
Once again A Happy New Year to anyone celebrating it.
During my time trying to get my proposal off the ground, I have had the privilege of presenting at ASLI Automotive conference 2010.
It was there I met for a photo op with the ex PM of Malaysia, Tun Mahathir.
He has been very vocal about the present PM of Malaysia. They do not see eye to eye over a personal donation received by PM Najib Razak.
This issue has now officially been resolved...
Why am I referring to this in a non political blog? Because Tun Mahathir is also Chairman of Lotus Cars.
I have always seen Lotus and Proton as potential partners in my proposal.
Whilst I do not expect Tun Mahathir to necessarily agree with the official decision, it is what it is.
When the dust settles, he may want to revisit my proposal.
Once again this is not a political blog, I just felt that this latest development may have an impact on my proposal. I am not judging the rights and wrongs of this.
I normally write about my educational proposal. It is still a dream waiting to happen!
Today, I had a look at Linkedin, they offered me a paid subscription again.
One of my contacts, Jennifer is now a GM Director. She was in Korea for a couple of years, and was I believe instrumental in bringing the new GM Bolt to production. Well done.
I know people who have joined Electric Car start ups. Other than Tesla I don't see how they will compete the large OEM's.
GM first built an all electric vehicle the EV1 while I was working on contract for Saturn (now defunct GM brand). I saw a few driving on the roads. They had some in the Saturn Tech Centre.
They could do about 50 miles on a charge, and were not available for sale only for lease.
I am a little biased, Jennifer is a very nice person. We worked in Troy Michigan and Ruesselsheim Germany together. But, I am sure that this new Electric vehicle will be a success.
If it can really do 200 miles on a charge, and doesn't need a special power point to charge, it will be a winner.
Happy New Year to everyone.
Its been a long time since I first proposed a track based training facility in Lotus. My then boss could not see the potential. I was not surprised, however as time has passed it has made more and more sense to me.
This project will require deep pockets to get started, however as we would no longer be first adopters, we can now see how others approach this.
In a recent blog I added a football based University video. They are looking to widen their scope, so theoretically, track based campuses combined with Football based campuses adding online learning into the mix would work.
Just a thought.
Obviously football supports Business and Marketing courses++. Motorsport adds Design,Engineering,plus a plethora of associated subjects.
Here is my old Marketing logo as a visual:
and once again a video from the football University.
Hopefully, people can begin to see what I am trying to do.
There have been many boundaries to me getting this project off the ground.
I don't have access to millions or billions, and so I can't self fund. I therefore have to sell a project which is linked to me.
When I first mooted this proposal, I was asked some questions which showed to me that people did not grasp what my proposal entailed. There were those who felt that having jockeyed me into a training role, they had succeeded in getting in rid of me. This was true. They were only interested in one thing.
Sadly, I have not managed to get a mentor. Someone to assist, and help finance my proposal.
ASLI, (Asean Strategic Leadership Institute) offered me the chance to present, which I took. Many thanks to Kenanga Simon and her team.
Here is a visual of how much online learning has grown between 2002 and 20012.
www.onlinelearningsurvey.com/reports/changingcourse.pdf
This chart is USA based.
Most people believe half the worlds present population will be internet connected by 2020. This is in excess of 3 billion people.
Most countries, developed or otherwise are keen to develop their IT infrastructure. Wi-Fi is common in many counties.
By combining strategically located physical campuses with on-line learning I see a sustainable business model emerging.
I do not think with all due respect, that this is difficult to visualise.
Once again, here is a video of a British based Football centric University based in Burnley and Wembley stadium's... plus Real Madrid's Bernabeu... Plus?
These forward thinking people are widening their educational scope to include other sports. Good luck to them!
UPDATE:Should anyone have 401K accounts with Hawtal Whiting inc or QED inc. This link is for Michigan non claimed accounts: http://www.michigan.gov/treasury/0,1607,7-121-44435---,00.html
You will have to fill in a form countersigned by a Michigan notary public. Which if you are not based in Michigan could be problematic.
I have never been a civil servant. I have been employed by commercial companies.
Fords were my first major company. They have not gone bankrupt. I have access to any future and present pension information. It is open and accessible.
For many years I worked in America. They have proper pension plans, as in civil service/Ford type plans, and savings plans called 401K's.
Two of the companies I worked no longer exist. One was sold on... Hawtal Whiting USA. This was first sold to Rapid Design, and then sold on again. I am sure that the 401K exists... I just don't know where!
When I worked for QED there was some problems with the funds not being paid in on time. The Office Manager at the time, who I will not name, assured everyone this was an oversight, and all funds would be paid in. TRUST ME...
Sadly, the first term that springs to mind when I think about QED is dodgy. I'm sure some very decent honest people will find themselves out of pocket.
Anyone reading this with any insight on whom to contact regarding these plans, please feel free to add the info as a comment.
My proposal revolves around setting up physical campuses at/on Motorsport venues, combined with on-line learning.
Lotus is where I first suggested this. Reaction was tepid to very anti. No-one said this was going to be easy!
DRB Hicom own Lotus and Proton. They have just received University status for their ICAM campus it is now being renamed
