By ALISA THOMAS

Staff Writer

Michel Kalika, a professor of management at the University of Paris in Dauphine, will spend 11 days at Tech as a guest lecturer for computer information systems.

Along with visiting Tech, Kalika, on sabbatical leave this semester, will also visit other universities in the United States. Tech was a part of Kalika's journey because of Charlotte Stephens, an associate professor of computer information systems.

"Charlotte Stephens had visited France for a conference," Kalika said. "She got acquainted with some of my colleagues at the university and we decided to begin an exchange."

Kalika is the director of the Ph. D program in information systems and the Executive Master's in Business Administration programs at the University of Paris.

While at Tech, Kalika will serve as a visiting professor lecturing to both graduate and undergraduate business classes. His lecture series will end Jan. 31.

The classes he will lecture in include International Marketing Management 485, an undergraduate course, Computer Information Systems 510, a master's in business administration course, and Management 595.

Stephens considers Kalika's visit beneficial to Tech and CIS students.

"It's good for our students to be exposed to a professor from a well-respected French university," Stephens said. "The exchange should be beneficial to both students and faculty."

Topics that Kalika will discuss include his award-winning multimedia case study on L'Oreal's Strategic Management, e-management, and alignment of Information Technology with Organizational Strategy.

Kalika's interests include e-learning, e-management and the impact of information technology on an organization's strategy and structure.

Randy Lewis, a senior computer information systems major, believes the experience will be educational and helpful.

"The guest lecturer can provide us with case studies from his country to help us better develop our studies and companies," Lewis said. "I'm excited, and it will be interesting to see how systems work in France."

From his visit Kalika plans to form a long-term union.

"A partnership or exchange is in the making, and I hope to keep in contact with both professors and students," Kalika said.

Stephens agrees with Kalika and hopes to broaden both students' and professors' understanding of European business.

Stephens said, "His visit is an opportunity for business faculty and students to gain more exposure to international business in our current global economy."