UW-Madison awarded international business center

UW–Madison has been named one of 25 universities in the nation to have a Center for International Business Education and Research.

Known as CIBERs, the centers were created by Congress in 1988 to increase and promote the nation’s capacity for international understanding and economic enterprise. By receiving a CIBER, UW–Madison joins a select group of universities recognized for their strength in international business, such as Michigan, UCLA, and the University of North Carolina.

The U.S. Department of Education proposes giving the School of Business approximately $900,000 during the four years of the CIBER grant.

“Being selected for a CIBER is a very prestigious accomplishment,” said Business School Dean Andrew J. Policano. “It shows the international strength of our business faculty and the outstanding reputation of the University of Wisconsin–Madison in area studies and language programs.”

The funds will be used to support further internationalization of business school courses and programs, including study abroad, internships and faculty and graduate student research, according to R.D. Nair, senior associate dean of academic affairs at the business school. Nair will direct the business school’s CIBER activities. The grant also will support formation of linkages with other universities with strengths in international business and development of executive programs to assist Wisconsin businesses engaged in international trade, he said.

The CIBER grant will provide support for Ph.D. programs with international components, aid in forming working groups with other universities strong in international business education and assist in developing research seminars on international topics, Nair said. Support for faculty research and student scholarships in international areas, will also be enhanced by the CIBER grant, he said.

“The CIBER proposal was a huge undertaking that wouldn’t have been possible without a team effort and the commitment of the entire university, ” Nair said.

David M. Trubek, dean of International Studies, said the CIBER award, “marks a real milestone for the School of Business and UW–Madison generally. In recent years, the business school has developed an excellent program in international business which is an important asset for the campus and the state. The award of a CIBER, for which competition is very keen, means the program has achieved national recognition.”

Notice of the CIBER grant, which can be renewed, was given to the School of Business on Feb. 20 by the International Education and Graduate Programs Service of the U.S. Department of Education. The university can apply for an additional grant at the end of the four years. Final funding for the initial grant will depend on congressional appropriations.