BYU-Hawaii President Steven C. Wheelwright told students and faculty at the annual convocation that knowledge of innovation—coupled with inspiration—will help the university accomplish its goals.
"We can be both excellent and distinctive in doing this work. In fact, given our scale and resources, I firmly believe the only way we can accomplish this is by integrating the best of secular learning with the best of spiritual learning and insight," he said.
Wheelwright spent much of his professional career researching organization management and the impact of innovation on professional companies. He explained that his research indicated companies are most effective when (after the right group of employees is selected) they work as a team, particularly a "heavyweight team."
"[We found] the heavyweight team… was co-located and was given control over roughly two-thirds of the resources needed for the project," Wheelwright said. "But they also operated in a manner consistent with the processes of the existing organization and did not try to become truly autonomous." This allows companies to manufacture high-quality products while being much more efficient with time and resources. Over time, new product development can transform an industry and enhance customer appeal, he said.
One company he cited was Apple, which struggled early in its acceptance as a computer company. It was only after officials at Apple integrated innovation and product development principles that the company became successful, Wheelwright explained.
Wheelwright said he sees the challenges that undergraduate institutions face through the lens of innovation and product development. These challenges include the ever-expanding knowledge base in all the fields and disciplines that concern the university, the marketplace of BYU-Hawaii's graduates, and how to make teaching and learning more relevant and engaging to students.
Jeffrey Burroughs, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences said, "We've made substantive steps towards addressing [these challenges]. We've broadened the kinds of opportunities…such as the internship program… that are available to students in some really wonderful ways, but we need to do more. We need to think beyond areas where we've considered before, and to come up with new solutions that will make our students more competitive and equip them for life-long learning."
Wheelwright concluded his address by stressing the necessity of seeking divine inspiration in efforts of innovation. "As we live and learn with increased faith and obedience, great blessings will be ours both individually and collectively. I know the Lord loves us. We are His children, heirs to all that He has…including all knowledge, all power, and all wisdom."