Globalizing Business Schools (GBS): An HBCU-CIBER Partnership Program

Duke CIBER has recently joined the Globalizing Business School (GBS) program for HBCU (Historically Black College and University) institutions. This effort is led by the University of Memphis in partnership with the Institute for International Public Policy (IIPP), CIBERs, and HBCUs.

This intensive GBS program involves 14 CIBERs and 14 HBCU partners working together to develop international plans that are uniquely specific to the needs of the partnering HBCUs. While there are over 100 HBCU institutions across the country, the GBS program primarily focuses on HBCUs located on the east coast.

Duke CIBER is able to integrate our existing relationship with Hampton University formalized in 2004 into the GBS program

Each CIBER is paired with an HBCU institution and works one-on-one with the partnering institution to develop a four-year plan and its implementation. The plan consists of the internationalization of its faculty, curriculum, and students. It entails a series of foreign language from business perspective courses, opportunities for faculty development overseas, and annual globalization seminars at Memphis and pedagogical workshop at Indiana. The GBS program also involves the CIBERs working with its partners toward successful U.S. Department of Education Business and International Education (BIE) grant applications.

The first GBS meeting was held on September 22-23, 2006, at the University of Memphis giving a chance for consortium members and partners to meet in person, learn about the GBS vision, and identify needs and interests of partnering HBCU institutions. CIBER Associate Director Maly Sibounheuang attended the meeting and met with Hampton partner Dr. Kanata Jackson, chair of the department of the management; Dr. Nelly McRae, foreign languages and business assistant Professor; and Dr. Natalie Robertson, assistant professor of history, NEH scholar, national register consultant.

Duke CIBER will be working closely with Jackson and her colleagues at Hampton University to carryout the GBS program vision. We are enthusiastic about our collaboration with Hampton University and the GBS partners.

HBCU / IIPP / CIBER CONSORTIUM 2006-2010 Globalizing Business Schools Program for HBCU Institutions Suggested Listing of Paired Institutions HBCU Institutions   CIBER Institutions Alabama A & M University 1 Georgia Tech Alabama State University 2 University of Kansas Bethune-Cookman College 3 University of Florida Bowie State University 4 University of Maryland Fayetteville State University 5 University of Pittsburg Florida Memorial University 6 University of Connecticut Grambling State University 7 University of Memphis Hampton University 8 Duke University Mississippi Valley State University 9 Michigan State University North Carolina Central University 10 University of North Carolina South Carolina State University 11 University of South Carolina Texas Southern University 12 Texas A&M University University of Maryland Eastern Shore 13 University of Wisconsin Winston-Salem State University 14 University of Pennsylvania   Source: GBS Summary Report 2002-2006

GBS Summary Report 2002-2006

The Globalizing Business School (GBS) program for HBCU institutions has been one of the most interesting, enjoyable, and challenging projects conducted by the University of Memphis CIBER and Michigan State University African Studies Center during the 2002-06 grant cycle. The success of this program would not have been possible without the GBS partners — the Institute for International Public Policy (IIPP) of the United Negro College Fund — and the CIBERs at the University of Florida, Georgia Institute of Technology, Indiana University, University of Connecticut, University of Kansas, Michigan State University, Texas A&M University, and University of Wisconsin.

Ralph Hines, director of the U.S. Department of Education’s International Education and Graduate Programs Office said, “it’s among the most sweeping efforts to help predominantly African American schools sharpen their competitive edge in an increasingly global economy” (The Commercial Appeal, April 27, 20002).

Download Full Summary Report

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In his seventh annual state of education address, "Setting New Expectations," U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley addressed the need for a new paradigm in education for the global economy to replace the "paradigm of the factory age." The new paradigm calls for solutions for the gap in internationally-oriented programs in American schools. Among the solutions that Riley proposed are partnerships between higher education and middle and secondary school reformers, increased number of schools that offer foreign languages, and partnerships between business and schools.

Research shows the acute need for multilingual and culturally aware workers in U.S. corporate managerial and government positions. Global financial health -- and the leadership of the U.S. in maintaining it -- is inseparable from national security. The U.S. government must promote not only international trade, but the ongoing education of American citizens needed for successful implementation of government policies that ensure continued leadership in a globally interdependent network of countries.

American education at all levels lacks an overall policy to facilitate student and citizen awareness of the U.S. position within the global financial network. In comparison, European nations undertake policy enactment that has resulted in second language instruction for students in "middle school." By "high school," most of these students are ready to learn a third language. The European Union and the Council of Europe have strengthened national policy by supporting teacher (and student) travel abroad. At the same time in the U.S., fragmented mandates from various levels of government and private interest have left teacher development for the new paradigm stranded. Some are indifferent to international development, some are unable to undertake development, and many are complacent in the idea that English is the linguistic medium worldwide.

The CIBER outreach programs have the potential to bridge the gap between recently initiated government standards (Goals 2000) and the fragmentation that exists throughout the educational system. The Duke CIBER outreach project is one example in forming such a bridge. The project addresses three of the main solutions proposed by Riley for attacking the problem at the secondary education level. It includes activity-based language instruction, increasing awareness of international business, and links between local businesses and high schools. At the state level, the project is specifically designed to increase the motivation of students to learn a second language and expand their career opportunities.

Download the position paper

CIBER K-12 Consortium

Building on the CIBER K-12 cosortium initiated by Duke CIBER during the last grant cycle, the CIBERs at Duke, UNC-Chapel Hill, San Diego, Connecticut, Memphis, Florida International, Kansas, Ohio State, and Purdue will serve as a national clearinghouse of IB-related educational materials geared to the K-12 classroom. Consortium members are tasked to explore innovative ideas promoting global education and language learning, particularly of the less commonly taught languages. In 2006-2010, Consortium members will meet annually or semi-annually to share best practices, teaching materials and professional development programs designed for K-12 educators. CIBERweb, hosted by MSU CIBER, will continue to be the online depository of these materials.  

Global Business Preparatory Program (GBPP)

The Duke and UNC-CH CIBERs are developing the Global Business Preparatory Program (GBPP) to provide domestic and international internships to high school students. The GBPP is a part of the North Carolina statewide action plan under an umbrella organization called North Carolina in the World (NCIW) to increase student knowledge and skills about the world and the promotion of global education.

The program links classroom education and real business practices to highlight the international nature of the North Carolina economy and underscores the importance of international education and language acquisition in a globalized world.

Duke and UNC CIBERs are forming a small steering committee made up of businesses and K-12 educators to explore and design the GBPP that would benefit all parties involved (i.e. how the program would be valued, what would work, and how companies would benefit). In the fall of 2006, we plan to have our first steering committee meeting and begin piloting student internships with one or two selected schools in regional areas.

• Visit program website
• Download program brochure