This semester, UB is making history, and it isn't here on campus. In fact, it isn't even on this continent.
The executive management program is heading overseas to Istanbul, Turkey, as UB will become the first public university in the United States to ever set up programs there.
"The UB executive management program will be the first of its kind taught in Turkey by faculty from a major U.S. public university," said Jacqueline Ghosen, director of communications for management programs.
According to Ghosen, one of the main motives behind launching a management certificate program halfway around the world is to attract positive international attention to the university.
Currently there are no American UB students slated to participate in the program. Rather, seminars will be aimed toward upper-level managers, business owners and professionals living and working in the Istanbul area.
"That's a long way to travel just for a two to four day seminar," Ghosen said. "This program is not geared toward current (UB) students; it's for executives who live in Turkey. Through these programs, we help to build a national reputation for the school."
The program will consist of two four-day modules, with part one scheduled to begin March 5 and part two on March 19.
"Managers will participate in four days of intensive training on key management issues. They will analyze management cases, participate in group discussions, attend lectures, and participate in role-playing activities," said Arun K. Jain, the Samuel P. Capen professor of marketing research and chairman of the department of marketing at UB.
Like UB's international programs in Beijing, China and Singapore, select UB professors from the management department will teach the program in Turkey. Seminars will be conducted in English and emphasize U.S.-style business practices.
John Hannon, visiting associate professor in the school of management, is one of four professors scheduled to teach in the spring. He views the program as a way for UB to expand its presence as a world-renowned university.
"Most people aren't aware how popular UB is throughout Asia," said Hannon. "As you travel throughout Asia, it's amazing to realize the fine reputation of UB, so this is going to give us another foothold in a different part of Asia. Istanbul is kind of the bridge between Asia and Europe, so it's going to allow us to reach out in both directions."
According to Jain, Istanbul's rapidly developing business economy makes it the right site for such a program.
"I do expect that in the not too distant future, Istanbul could potentially become a hub for educational training in the region," he said. "Like Singapore, potentially Turkey could attract students from the Middle East and Africa for higher education. We expect the region to experience significant growth in years to come and should opportunities arise, lend our hand in building a strong economic base."
According to Jain, the idea for the executive management program in Turkey came from former UB School of management alumnus Matt Yildizlar, who graduated in 1987. Yildizlar, a native to Turkey, is now a senior partner at SVG International Business Associates, based in White Plains, N.Y.
Yildizlar is on the Dean's Advisory Council for the school of management and began a foundation in his name to provide scholarships to Turkish students so they can go to school here.
