College of Business News Release
June 16, 2008
CONTACT:
Frances Ryan, WSU CB Public Relations/Communications Coordinator
509/335-3957, frances_ryan@wsu.edu
New China Center Means More International Options for WSU Business Students
PULLMAN, Wash. – The Washington State University College of Business has signed an agreement for a new center at Southwestern University of Finance and Economics (SWUFE) in Chengdu, China, as part of its ongoing vision to enhance the college’s international presence. The new agreement means that the college will have a permanent presence at SWUFE with office space and a program director on-site.
The college has been building a relationship with SWUFE since 1998 when Jerman Rose, associate dean of undergraduate programs, first visited the campus. Since that time, SWUFE students have been involved with an MBA cooperative program, and students from the Chinese campus have had the opportunity to travel to WSU to complete a certificate program in international business. There have been 25 visiting scholars from SWUFE over the last 10 years, working with students and faculty in Pullman and offering a real-world view of global business connections.
“Our agreement to create the WSU CB China Center with SWUFE is based on longstanding relationships that are further strengthened by this development. The partnership will be a true benefit to College of Business students as we prepare them for the global marketplace,” says CB Dean Eric Spangenberg. “The new center means that we can further strengthen our relationships in China, and offer our students the opportunity to see how the global economy fits into their future careers.”
The agreement will allow the CB to further develop study abroad programs as well as graduate education and research projects in China. The program director will serve as a local representative for relationship building and problem solving and will assist with logistical issues for faculty and students, as well as assisting with the screening of potential SWUFE students wishing to attend WSU.
“The China Center in the College of Business is an excellent new bridge to our state’s top business partner,” says President of Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle, Bill Stafford. “Preparing our future business leaders for participation in a global economy is imperative for our state’s economic success.”
For more information on this and other global initiatives in the college, please contact Justin Marquart at marquart@wsu.edu or 509-335-7392.
The WSU College of Business is accredited at the baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral levels by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The college spans the four campuses of WSU with the largest campus in Pullman and urban campuses located in Spokane, Vancouver, and the Tri-Cities area. The college conducts scholarly and applied research, and offers degree programs in a variety of business disciplines, and in hospitality business management, supplementing face-to-face offerings through innovative online learning and international programs. For more information, visit the college’s Web site at www.business.wsu.edu.