By: Cheryl Teich, CTOC Chair
The Chemical Engineering Technology Operating Council (CTOC) oversees two major efforts on behalf of AIChE and the profession: first, the frontiers of chemical engineering--in other words, knowledge advancement; and second, the dissemination of that knowledge. Responsibilities include meetings and publications.
The key stakeholders for CTOC are, really, all AIChE members and the entities--divisions, forums, committees, and technological communities--that CTOC serves. Each member of CTOC serves as a liaison to one or more of these stakeholder groups. Important among the many other stakeholders are: other entities of AIChE, employers of members, universities, government agencies, industry, non-member ChEs, AIChE staff, and other professional organizations.
CTOC has some near-term goals for 2012 and a number of long-range objectives. Our 2012 efforts are focused on taking a strategic look at AIChE's regional and niche conferences, identifying opportunities for new technology groups and communities, and improving communication with the Board of Directors and among the various entities. In terms of new professional "homes" for AIChE members with their many technical interests, we are investigating the launch of a new forum focused on pharmaceutical manufacturing. (Last year, we approved the formation of the new Upstream Engineering and Flow Assurance Forum.) On the communications end, we are revitalizing the Council of Division and Forum Officers and are developing a new tool to better assess the effectiveness of the various groups with which we work.
For our longer-term objectives, CTOC is working to assure:
- The relevance of our meetings, publications and other technical information efforts to our members needs
- That programs are aligned with the Board's strategic direction
- That programs leverage new communication technologies
- That the various groups with which we work collaborate, rather than compete, with each other, and
- That we cultivate the next generation of volunteer leaders.
There are committees, divisions and forums that report to CTOC. Those groups and a short description are listed below. If you are interested in learning more about CTOC or wish to become involved with any of these committees, divisions, or forums, please contact me, Cheryl Teich, at CTeich@dow.com.
COMMITTEES:
Equipment Testing Procedures Committee: Formulates and publishes procedures for testing the performance of chemical engineering equipment.
Program Committee: Organizes and conducts all spring, annual and special Institute meetings and coordinates joint meetings with other organizations.
Publication Committee: Studies and evaluates the publication activities of the Institute.
Research and New Technology Committee: Serves as an advisory board on matters relating to chemical engineering research.
DIVISIONS (for AIChE members exclusively):
Catalysis & Reaction Engineering Division: Provides a focal point for members interested in catalysis, industrial and engineering chemistry, fuel chemistry and petroleum.
Computing & Systems Technology Division: Provides a "home" for members interested in computing and systems technology, especially as applied in the analysis, design and control of process and management systems.
Education Division: Promotes the education of chemical engineers as it pertains to education research, scholarly teaching, and applications.
Environmental Division: Provides relevant programs on current environmental topics and non-confidential information concerning all aspects of environmental activity.
Food, Pharmaceutical and Bioengineering Division: Serves as the focal point for members interested in these fields.
Forest Bioproducts Division: Encourages investigations and fosters dissemination of knowledge in processing forest products.
Fuels & Petrochemicals Division: Fosters the exchange of information among members engaged in all phases of fuels and petrochemicals activities, including ethylene production; refining; conversion of liquid, solid and gaseous fuels; and the manufacture and sales of petrochemicals.
Management Division: Discusses and presents topics of interest to practicing engineers and managers at all levels.
Materials Engineering & Sciences Division: Provides opportunities for members interested in materials to exchange information.
Nuclear Engineering Division: Provides members with the latest research and information on nuclear energy and educates governmental organizations and the public.
Process Development Division: Promotes networking and communication among members interested in process development.
Safety & Health Division: Provides venues for members to exchange information on all aspects of safety and health.
Separations Division: Covers a variety of currently used and novel methods of separation.
Transport & Energy Processes Division: Fosters idea exchange in the areas of transport and energy processes.
FORUMS (open to all interested parties):
Chemical Engineering & the Law Forum - Provides a community for engineers and lawyers interested in issues involving chemical engineering and law, public policy and regulation.
Computational Molecular Science & Engineering Forum - Creates opportunities for communication and networking among engineers and scientists interested in computational molecular sciences and engineering.
Nanoscale Science & Engineering Forum - Fosters communication and networking among engineers and scientists interested in research and development at the atomic, molecular, or macromolecular levels.
North American Mixing Forum - Provides an open for academic and industrial researchers, equipment vendors, and others interested in interdisciplinary mixing technology.
Particle Technology Forum - Serves as an interdisciplinary, international forum to promote information exchange, scholarship, research and education in particle technology.
Sustainable Engineering Forum - Seeks collaborative work in programming and education with other groups, both domestic and international, to advance sustainable products, processes and services.
Upstream Engineering & Flow Assurance Forum - Provides international exchange of ideas, know-how, and best practices related to the application of chemical engineering fundamentals to upstream engineering and flow assurance.