CMU students explore AI innovation and ERP solutions at ASUG Michigan

At the ASUG Michigan Fall Meeting in Detroit, Central Michigan University students built AI-powered tools, shared internship projects, and connected directly with industry leaders, all while exploring how SAP and artificial intelligence are reshaping global business. 

In 2021, Vishal Shah, a faculty member in business information systems and director of the SAP University Alliance program and corporate outreach, launched CMU’s partnership with ASUG through its Campus Connect program, which connects SAP professionals with students and educators.   

Since then, Shah has guided students and faculty to ASUG events (chapter events are open to all BIS faculty member), creating a professional platform that bridges classroom learning with industry opportunities. To support program growht, BIS faculty member and SAP curriculum leader Santiago Aguirre joined Shah in organizing ASUG trips two years ago. This year’s event welcomed nearly 40 students.  

“This program has evolved over the last three years, and it continues to grow,” Shah said. “Events like ASUG highlight how our programs from the SAP Student User Group, process mining competitions, ERPsim and RPA prepare students for real business challenges.” 

This year’s trip to Detroit was hosted at the David Whitney Hotel and supported by student leaders Liu Zhanning, a graduate student in information systems and president of the SAP Student User Group; Jaahnavi Nagaraju, a graduate student in information systems and chairperson of the SAP Student User Group; and Satya Apoorva Nadimpalli, a graduate student in information systems who also works at the SAP Help Lab.  

Students put learning into action

For Nagaraju, the event was a turning point in understanding the scope of emerging technologies. 

“Attending the event was a truly eye-opening experience,” she said. “While I was already aware that SAP is a vast system, the conference expanded my understanding of just how rapidly it is evolving, particularly in the areas of AI integration, automation, and big data.” 

Her biggest takeaway? The value of meaningful information. “Without structured and reliable data, even the most advanced systems can lose their value,” she said. 

Nadimpalli said the event underscored how fast technology is shaping future careers. “One of my biggest takeaways was realizing the importance of staying current with advanced technologies,” she said. “The sessions on AI and business data, including SAP Joule and SAP Business Data Cloud, highlighted innovations in SAP and how they help solve real business problems.” 

Karthik Raj Ganta, graduate student in information systems, pointed to the CodeJam workshop as a highlight. “We explored leading AI tools integrated within SAP and even worked on building a personalized bot called Joule to streamline company processes, which was both exciting and eye-opening,” Ganta said. 

Student voices on stage

Several CMU students moved from the audience to the stage, presenting alongside faculty and industry professionals. Zhanning was invited to join a panel discussion with Carolyn Szczurek, head of ASUG Campus Connect, and Shah. During the panel, Zhanning discussed how CMU’s SAP experiences prepared him for his career and announced that his ASUG involvement had helped him secure a full-time job offer. 

Meanwhile, Isaac Beltz, graduate student in information systems, partnered with Christine Witt, BIS faculty member and director of the SAP University Alliance Program for ERP events, to present a project based on his internship with Ford Motor Company. 

“I really emphasized how important it was to rehearse together since it was a team presentation,” Witt said. “Afterward, a businessman in attendance told Isaac, ‘I know people with 30 years of industry experience that could not have given that good a presentation.’” 

Preparing for what’s next

For CMU students, the ASUG Michigan Fall Meeting reinforced the importance of continuous learning in a fast-changing business landscape. As Nadimpalli reflected, “AI will not replace people, but it will replace people who don’t learn how to use AI.” 

The event demonstrated the strength of CMU’s SAP partnerships and the value of applied learning experiences that prepare students to thrive in a business world shaped by innovation and data. 

How do interested students get involved?

The SAP Student User Group at CMU, modeled after ASUG’s national framework, is open to students across majors who are interested in enterprise systems, data, and emerging technologies. Members gain hands-on experience, help organize events, and participate in industry trips like the ASUG Michigan Fall Meeting. 

Students interested in joining can connect with the group through the Department of Business Information Systems and can reach out to Vishal Shah for more information.