The NIU College of Business has expanded its reach to include the Far East of Asia. After the Chief Consul of the Chinese Consulate General Office named the NIU College of Business as China's Preferred Educational Partner, arrangements were made in September 2007 to provide graduate training in management and leadership for high-ranking Chinese officials (pictured with the Deans and faculty at the business college). The thirteen high-ranking 
Chinese officials -- many of whom include mayors, deans, and vice chairmen of various Chinese governmental agencies -- arrived at NIU in December 2007 and will stay through the spring 2008 semester. Over the course of their five-month stay, they will participate in a number of M.B.A.-level classes taught by NIU business faculty. The class topics cover the business fundamentals as well as thought-leadership in areas of Entrepreneurship and Leadership, among others. Included in the educational experience are roundtable discussions with local and federal-level officials, to discuss international trade and China's interests in the aerospace industry, machine tools, and environmental technologies. Additionally, the business faculty have brought the Chinese into the board rooms and plant operations of Illinois-based multinational firms, made possible through the college's extensive relationship with the Chicago and Rockford business communities. Thus far, the Chinese have met with executives in global firms such as Caterpillar, McDonald's, and UPS, among others.
"China is a market that cannot be ignored. It is very positive for us to have Chinese students enrolled in our programs," NIU College of Business dean Denise Schoenbachler said. "Not only do they gain valuable experience and knowledge, but our students have an opportunity to be exposed to, and learn from, a different culture and different ways of doing business."
The college's focus on global has gained momentum since the formation of its Global Task Force, an action team with membership from within the college as well as from external organizations. Global Task Force activities are facilitated by NIU business dean Denise Schoenbachler and associate dean Paul Prabhaker and thus far, have resulted in a strong relationship with China: in December 2007, the college was named as China's Preferred Educational Partner. The designation was given by the Chief Consul of the Chinese Consulate General, whose offices are based in Chicago and who represents China's interests - including educational - in the nine-state region of the Midwest.
"Along with its excellent programs, the strength of the NIU College of Business is in its established and respected relationships with many firms in Chicago." ~ Mr. Jun Liu, chief consul of the Chinese Consulate General. The thirteen Chinese officials have waded into the experience at NIU. With their program completion fast arriving in three weeks, they have made the most of their learning experience here. When they are not in classes or at companies, they can be found seated at various tables in the Barsema Hall atrium with native NIU students, talking about American and Chinese cultures. The bond between East and West has grown so tight that two NIU business faculty already have made plans for a 2009 trip to China to visit the Chinese in their native provinces. "The Chinese have become like family to us," said associate dean Paul Prabhaker. "Not only have they learned a great deal from their experience in the college, but we have all learned a great deal from them. primary among them, the ability to expand our understanding of different cultures and different societies."