MSUM’s Doing Business in China Program receives MnSCU award

BY KAYLA PRASEK

Minnesota State University Moorhead’s Doing Business in China Program has been named a winner of the 2015 Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Academic and Student Affairs Awards for Innovation in Global Education.

The award recognizes the creative and effective practices of faculty and staff that increase students’ understanding of the growing interdependence of nations and peoples through cross-cultural and international experiences, according to a news release.

“This award gives us recognition with MnSCU in terms of global innovation and reaffirms that what we’re doing here is unique,” says Marsha Weber, dean of the College of Business & Innovation.

Weber nominated the Doing Business in China Program for the award because of its uniqueness. “It exposes students to the global system and it really met all the requirements MnSCU sets for the award. We have two professors whose classes do projects with students in China and who have traveled and researched extensively in China. We also host a global innovation event on campus each year with keynote speakers, which we involve the community in as well.”

Doing Business in China is a certificate program that consists of courses in Chinese language and culture, international business and a Doing Business in China class, along with a three-week study trip in China. The program is available for both business and non-business majors, as well as community members.

The program, which was started in 2013, “made sense” for MSUM, Weber says. “We’ve always had a strong international business program. We also have two professors who travel to China frequently and exchange agreements with two Chinese universities. It seemed like a natural fit when we were looking for something unique but also played into our strengths. It’s a distinctive program because there isn’t really another one in the region.”

The Doing Business in China Program also includes: virtual learning experiences connecting students from MSUM, Shanghai Finance University and Xi’an University of Science and Technology, both in China; Chinese scholar visits to MSUM to conduct research with MSUM faculty, teach, guest lecture and speak at community events; the annual Global Innovation Day featuring a variety of activities related to global business, including a strong emphasis on doing business in China; and innovative faculty members Ruth Lumb and Peter Geib, who have traveled and researched extensively in China for a combined total of more than 25 years and have published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals.

A Doing Business in Latin America certificate is in the works. “These types of certificate programs provide our students the opportunity to learn about the world and global business,” Weber says. “By expanding our offerings, it may give more students a chance to study a different part of the world.” PB

Kayla Prasek Staff Writer, Prairie Business 701.780.1187

kprasek@prairiebizmag.com