IIB Awarded US Department of Education Grant

The Institute for International Business (IIB) in the University of Iowa's Henry B. Tippie College of Business has been awarded a Department of Education Title VI Grant through the Business and International Education (BIE) Program. The IIB's grant proposal, entitled "Global Achievement Projects (GAPs): Filling in the GAPs in International Business Education at the University of Iowa," received funding of $166,000 over a two-year period which begins July 1, 2005.

The BIE grant is designed to assist the IIB, the Tippie College of Business, and the University of Iowa develop projects in international education at the university and broaden ties with the regional business community engaged in international business. Although the grant focuses on international business education, it involves and coordinates staff and resources from across the university and includes projects that aim to benefit the larger university community and area businesses and organizations.

The "Global Achievement Projects" in this grant include: expanding and implementing international business education and travel opportunities for UI students; enhancing the college's outreach and cooperation with government, companies, and organizations in Iowa; increasing career service opportunities to students interested in pursuing international careers; and supporting faculty training and development in international business education.

Many of the grant activities involve academic course development and programs that will benefit students at both the undergraduate and graduate level. Faculty training in international education will also be an important factor in providing these course and program developments. Other activities include workshops and seminars on international business topics with the Center for Asian and Pacific Studies, the Center for Teaching and with area companies and organizations. The IIB's ongoing partnership with the U.S. Export Assistance Center (USEAC) will be important in the development and implementation of the business outreach programs.

The grant is also supported by contributions from the office of the Provost and the Dean of the Tippie College of Business. The grant was written by Prof. Terry Boles and Ann Knudson, with the assistance of Prof. Roberta Marvin in International Programs. As Co-Project Directors, Boles and Knudson will oversee the administration of grant projects. Boles is an Associate Professor in the Department of Management and Organizations and has been the Director of the IIB since July of 2003. Knudson is the IIB's Assistant Director and has been with the College since 2002.