Contact: Michelle De Jean, Northern Illinois University
1(815) 753-8522
April 14, 2008
DeKalb, IL- The NIU College of Business has expanded its reach to include the Far East of Asia. Thirteen high-ranking Chinese officials - many of whom include mayors, deans, and vice chairmen of various governmental agencies - are in DeKalb for the 16-week spring semester to receive graduate training in management and leadership from NIU business faculty. Along with traditional classroom lectures, the NIU business professors also have reached into the political and business sectors to help give the Chinese in-depth exposure to the free market system of the West.
On April 10, 2008, DeKalb Mayor Frank Van Buer and Rockford-based U.S. Department of Commerce Director Patrick Hope engaged in a two-hour dialogue with the Chinese. During an informal roundtable discussion in Barsema Hall, Van Buer and Hope each described the ways in which federal, state, and local governments work with enterprises in a free market system. Several non-profit organizations were described, such as the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation, Chambers of Commerce, and Renew DeKalb, among others. Additionally, U.S. Department of Commerce tools and resources were discussed, as was China's interest in the aerospace industry, machine tools, and environmental technologies.
The roundtable discussion took place as part of the college's Global Marketing course, taught by NIU Marketing Department chair Tanuja Singh. Three other NIU business faculty members are also teaching the Chinese officials. All 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. To date, 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."
Northern Illinois University's College of Business enjoys a national reputation for the quality of its programs, faculty, and graduates. Degree programs in the NIU business college combine business fundamentals, thought-leadership and an entrepreneurial mindset to provide students with a clear understanding of the challenges businesses face in a rapidly changing global business environment. Both BusinessWeek and U.S. News & World Report rank the college among the best undergraduate business schools in the nation. For the second consecutive year (2006-2007), Crain's Chicago Business ranked the college's M.B.A. program among the top Chicago area M.B.A. programs. Fully accredited by the nation's foremost accreditation unit, AACSB International, the college has achieved continuous AACSB International accreditation since 1969, placing it among the top schools of business in all three ranking categories: undergraduate, graduate, and accountancy. The NIU College of Business was founded in 1961 and moved into its state-of-the-art facility, Barsema Hall, in 2002. It also offers classes at NIU campuses in Naperville, Hoffman Estates, and Rockford. For more information on the NIU College of Business, visit www.cob.niu.edu.
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