The U.S. Department of Education has awarded a four-year Center for International Business Education and Research grant to Brigham Young University’s Marriott School of Management. The grant provides $355,000 per year through 2006.
“The CIBER grant is a strong infusion into our program,” says Brooke Derr, professor of international business and Marriott School CIBER director. “Some of the projects we’re funding through the grant include the enhancement of business-language courses, foreign-study programs, and ongoing faculty research and development. We’re also developing a series of international business case studies to strengthen our curriculum.”
The CIBER program was created in 1988 to increase and promote the nation’s international understanding and economic enterprise. Administered by the U.S. Department of Education, CIBER links the manpower and information needs of U.S. businesses with the international education, language training and research capacities of universities throughout the nation.
Competition for CIBER funding is rigorous. In 2001, faculty experts from top U.S. business schools evaluated proposals from 80 universities. BYU, Temple University, and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania were the three new schools awarded CIBER funding in 2002. A total of 30 universities nationwide received CIBER grants.
“We feel we are on the way to becoming one of the nation’s top international business programs,” says Kristie Seawright, associate professor of business management and academic director of the Marriott School’s CIBER. “We can soon provide new opportunities for faculty to hone their international skills within the framework of their specific disciplines. This will provide students with sharper academic experiences – helping prepare them to be global business leaders.”
Before applying for individual CIBER funding, BYU and the University of Utah formed the only joint CIBER organization in the country. The two institutions shared a CIBER grant from 1990-2001. The U of U, however, did not reapply last year.
“Becoming an independent CIBER school gives us added flexibility and resources to sponsor international business education projects and to partner with other universities on research initiatives,” Derr explained. “We’re already working with the University of Colorado at Denver to establish an international business education network throughout the Rocky Mountain states.”
Marriott School Dean Ned C. Hill says, “Our students are already well-known for their language proficiency. However, the CIBER grant will help us give students improved fluency in the language of business and will provide additional opportunities for exposure to global business practices.”
The Marriott School is located at Brigham Young University, the largest privately owned, church-sponsored university in the United States. The school has nationally ranked programs in accounting, business management, information systems, organizational behavior and entrepreneurship. Approximately 3,000 students are enrolled in the Marriott School’s graduate and undergraduate programs.
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Writer: Michael Johanson