BYU Awarded $1.55 Million Grant for International Business Education

PROVO, Utah – Jun 15, 2010 – The U.S. Department of Education awarded Brigham Young University a four-year $1.55 million grant to continue as a Center for International Business Education and Research school. The grant provides funding for BYU to work with students, faculty, the community and 32 other CIBER schools across the country to improve international business acumen.

"It's an honor we were recognized and chosen to receive this grant," says Lee Radebaugh, executive director of the Kay and Yvonne Whitmore Global Management Center. "It opens the door for students and faculty to have international experiences."  

BYU has been a CIBER school since 1990, when the university first applied for the grant. CIBER funds have been paramount for the development of international business education at BYU by supplying the support and resources for hundreds of international programs, courses, activities, as well as faculty research and training. These programs serve not only BYU students and faculty but also foster interaction with other schools and members of the local community.

One of the most successful and visible programs for almost 20 years has been the short-term study abroad experiences. Different than an immersion into one particular culture for many months, a short-term study abroad program allows students to get a taste of international business in many countries in just a few weeks. Students visit businesses ranging from large multinational corporations to small entrepreneurial ventures in addition to learning about and touring countries' historical and cultural sites.        

"A study abroad focused on business opens students' minds so they can successfully work internationally." Radebaugh says. "When students have an experience abroad they return with confidence to pursue a career in international business."

In addition to supporting its existing initiatives, the CIBER grant will help BYU to offer and develop cutting-edge international business-based programs. One program in development for next year is the Summer Culture and Language Boot Camp held in correlation with the Texas A&M CIBER. For ten days interested students will undergo an intensive training in international business, culture, geopolitical topics and survival language instruction. Students will be able to form educational relationships with other students while developing skills that will help them in any country.    

The new CIBER grant will also make it possible for the Global Management Center to continue its goal to reach out to the local community. Through collaboration efforts with Salt Lake Community College, the GMC is working to help integrate international business education into SLCC's classrooms as well as develop specialized educational programs that involve the surrounding community.

"These financial resources allow us to offer outstanding programs to students and community members to help them become international business leaders," says Cynthia Halliday, managing director of the Global Management Center. "It's not just about our center; it's about collaboration." 

The Marriott School is located at Brigham Young University, the largest privately owned, church-sponsored university in the United States. The school has nationally recognized programs in accounting, business management, public management, information systems, entrepreneurship, and recreation management and youth leadership. The school's mission is to prepare men and women of faith, character and professional ability for positions of leadership throughout the world. Approximately 3,300 students are enrolled in the Marriott School's graduate and undergraduate programs.