In Business

From the BusINess inbox—The BusINess editors are committed to keeping you informed about the latest news in NWI. Here’s today’s submission from Valparaiso University:

VALPO ENGINEERING ADDS CHINA TO GLOBAL STUDY PROGRAMS

Valparaiso University’s College of Engineering is expanding its global presence with the launch of a new program that will give engineering students an opportunity to study and work in the world’s most populous nation.

The Valparaiso International Engineering Program in China joins the University’s existing programs in Germany and France that give engineering students an avenue to develop skills and gain experiences that enable them to succeed in the international marketplace.

The VIEP in China is a five-year program that leads to a bachelor’s degree in one of four engineering disciplines (civil, computer, electrical or mechanical) and a minor in Chinese. The study abroad component of the program comes in the fourth year, and includes one semester studying at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China, followed by one semester and summer working in China.

Dr. Eric Johnson, Brandt professor of engineering, says the program allows students to gain a significant cross-cultural experience to complement their engineering degree.

“This is important because in today’s global marketplace, engineering companies are looking for students who are not only technically skilled but also globally competent,” Dr. Johnson said. “These companies need engineers that will be able to handle manufacturing issues in East Asia, design products for African consumers or interact with customers in Europe. Our program helps students develop the skills needed to work as an engineer in this type of global environment.”

During their fall semester in China, students will take courses at Zhejiang University, including intensive Chinese language courses to develop their language skills. Students also will travel in China with other Valpo students under the supervision of the Hangzhou resident director of Valpo’s Hangzhou Study Center.

In the spring semester, students will continue to gain valuable technical, cultural and linguistic experience while working in an engineering position for a United States-based or Chinese company, or participating in an engineering-related research project at a Chinese university.

Dr. Johnson says the focus on China is a natural progression for Valpo’s international engineering program.

“China is and will become even more a global presence in the engineering profession,” Dr. Johnson said. “More and more U.S.-based engineering companies have design centers in China and we will see more and more products not only manufactured but also engineered by the Chinese.”

Dr. Johnson says participating in the VIEP in China program will help Valpo students understand Chinese culture as well as business and engineering practices in China. This helps prepare them to work for engineering companies doing business in China or at firms competing with future Chinese engineering firms.

Zheijang University is a top research institution in China with 39,000 undergraduate students and 9,500 graduate students. VIEP in China students will live in international residence halls, have access to Valpo’s Hangzhou Study Center and can visit local industries.

Valpo currently has international engineering programs in Germany and in France. More information on the engineering programs overseas can be found at valpo.edu/engineering/programs/viep/index.php.

PRINCETON REVIEW RECOGNIZES EXCELLENCE IN MBA PROGRAM

Valparaiso University’s College of Business Administration again has been named one of the nation’s outstanding graduate business schools in the new edition of the Princeton Review guidebook Best 301 Business Schools, released today, Oct. 6.

Princeton Review cited Valpo’s College of Business Administration for offering a strong, values-centered education with small and dynamic classes focused on ethics and environmental stewardship. This is the sixth consecutive year Valpo’s MBA program has been cited by Princeton Review for its academic quality.

The guidebook singles out Valpo’s MBA program for reflecting the quality found throughout the University, noting that students praise professors for being innovative and bringing a wealth of personal experience from the business world to lead informative and engaging class discussions.

The incorporation of ethics and environmental stewardship throughout the curriculum make Valpo’s MBA program unique, according to the guidebook, which quotes students who say that throughout the core curriculum and elective courses, “I have found all of my courses to be well-run and relevant to today’s business environment.”

Valpo’s MBA program is one of the first in the nation to offer a new concentration in sustainability, launched this fall, to teach future business leaders how taking care of the environment can create new business opportunities and raise profits. The MBA Plus Certificate will add classes focused on sustainability to its regular coursework.

Valpo’s profile in the guidebook also notes the flexible design of the program to serve the needs of both full-time students and professionals who have full-time jobs and children and are enrolled in courses part-time.

Bruce MacLean, director of graduate programs in management, said Valpo’s MBA program has grown rapidly since it was launched in 2002.

“The pioneers of this program, Dr. Dean Schroeder and the dedicated business faculty here, have built an excellent example of quality education, values-based leadership and innovation,” MacLean said. “I hope that we can continue this legacy and distinguish the MBA program even more.”

Business schools are selected for the book based on institutional data collected from the schools and the opinions of students who are asked to rate and report on their campus experiences. Valpo offers joint degree programs that provide MBA students an opportunity to concurrently earn a law degree or master’s in nursing, as well as a master’s of engineering management program which combines graduate coursework in business and engineering.

For more information about Valpo’s graduate business programs, call 219.465.7952 or visit the MBA website at valpo.edu/mba.