Contact: Polly Harbaugh, public information director at Webster University, at (314) 968-6954
Marilynne Herbert/Sara Mortimer at Halstead Communications at (212) 734-2190.[email protected]
CLINTON SIGNS CHINA TRADE BILL TO LIFT CURBS ON U.S. TRADE WITH BEIJING --DEMAND WILL INCREASE FOR AMERICAN MBA TRAINING --
St. Louis, MO., October 10, 2000 -- The passing of the China Trade Bill on Tuesday will create an increasing demand for highly trained leaders within the business and private sectors in China, according to Richard S. Myers, President of Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri. "The future of the relationship between the United States and countries of Asia is best ensured, in the long run, not by military or foreign aid, but by education and understanding. With several million Chinese management personnel being encouraged to obtain MBA degrees in the foreseeable future, Webster's program in Shanghai filled quickly with Chinese students seeking a Western-style education," says Meyers.
According to President Clinton, "The passing of the historic bi-partisan bill to remove restraints on trade with China will extend economic prosperity at home and promote economic freedom in China, increasing the prospects for openness in China and a more peaceful future for all of us."
Terms of the agreement call for China to open its markets to American products, from wheat to cars to consulting services. The U.S. will, in turn, have access to markets in China without relocating our factories there.
In 1996, anticipating the growing need for a Western-style business degree, Webster University entered into a joint venture with the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics to offer the Webster MBA degree. Webster is the first American university to receive formal approval by the Chinese government to offer an MBA degree on Chinese soil.
"As university students enter today's global marketplace an understanding of international business cultures and practices is as important as anything else in their curriculum. The global economy is a reality. There is no return to a single-nation-based economy," says Meyers.
"Webster's long-standing presence in China is an affirmation of the value of global business education and a demonstration of our continued commitment to the intellectual growth of the global community," says Benjamin Akande, Dean, School of Business and Technology at Webster University. "This trade bill represents an economic marriage that will yield significant educational opportunities for forward-thinking, globally-positioned business schools like Webster," he added.
Webster University has the largest part-time and second largest full-time business school enrollment in the United States. With 80,000 alumni worldwide, the school is highly regarded for blending international perspectives into undergraduate and graduate curricula and for its use of Internet technology. Through this technology, Webster unites 92 centers in 17 states and the District of Columbia and seven international centers into a single cohesive community of academics and professionals.
"Our partnership with the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics is extremely important to the international scope and global expansion of Webster University," stated Meyers.
Both the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Education have approved the joint venture partnership, which is known as the Webster SUFI MBA program. The program received accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Universities in 1996.
Webster University-Shanghai offers students in-depth study of accounting, information systems, finance, operations, management, economics, statistical analysis and organizational behavior and leadership. In addition, business communication and business technology courses are required. These courses emphasize written and oral communication and high-tech approaches to presentations; and organizational behavior and leadership, which deals directly with issues that revolve around leadership and the management of people.
Webster University controls the course content and curriculum of its programs in China. However, the curriculum is adapted to Chinese culture through supplementary materials, which highlight local applications of the practice and principles of the MBA curriculum content. All courses are taught in English, and ESL (English as a Second Language) proficiency is a requirement for admission to the program.
Editors Note:
Dr. Richard S. Meyers, president of Webster University, is the architect of this model program and is among the nations leading proponents of stronger ties between Asia and the Americas. He has served as a member of the American Council on Education's Commission on International Education and has worked to develop other international programs in Japan, Korea, Latin America, Australia and Taiwan as well as China and Thailand.
Dr. Meyers and Dr. Akande are available for interviews by contacting Polly Harbaugh, public information director at Webster University, at (314) 968-6954 or Marilynne Herbert/Sara Mortimer at Halstead Communications at (212) 734-2190.
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