$1.42 Million CIBER Grant Awarded to University of Marylands Business School

College Park, Md. May 16, 2006 The University of Marylands Robert H. Smith School of Business today announced that it has received a Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER) grant that awards the school a total of $1.42 million over four years from the U.S. Department of Education. The Smith School CIBER will be further supported by 100 percent matching funds from the school and will leverage the Smiths leading-edge global competencies to provide superior education, research, and assistance on issues central to building U.S. international trade and global competitiveness.

The Smith School CIBER will serve as a significant national resource center for regional businesses, academics, students and public policy makers. There are only 30 CIBER centers nationwide and they are each selected for their demonstrated global strengths and reputation. 
The Smith School CIBER will serve as a powerful catalyst to enhance and extend Smith School initiatives supporting international business, said Howard Frank, dean of the University of Marylands Robert H. Smith School of Business. We aim to serve the global interests of the region by further integrating our extensive international resources with those of regional institutions and organizations.

The Smith School CIBER will be built on seven themes and areas of strength relevant to the overall CIBER mission. A majority of the Smith School CIBERs teaching, research, and corporate outreach initiatives will be based on the following:

1. Competitiveness increasing the international competitiveness of key industries in the mid-Atlantic region and nationally
2. Global e-Business and Technology creating initiatives that contribute directly to strengthening the ability of American business to compete in the global digital economy
3. Entrepreneurship and Innovation supporting initiatives such as the Smith Schools annual China Business Plan Competition that stimulate entrepreneurship and innovation, especially as related to economic development and international competitiveness
4. Language Education leveraging University of Maryland resources to offer teaching, research, and outreach in both major and less commonly taught languages
5. National and Homeland Security developing specific teaching and research programs with the University of Maryland for the business and higher education communities
6. Global Services strengthening and further internationalizing the offerings of the Smith Schools centers and offices 
7. Emerging Markets building on teaching and research by Smith faculty related to the development of capital markets and financial systems in emerging markets

A primary area of concern to international businesses is information security, and the Smith School CIBER will provide significant leadership in this area, said Scott Koerwer, associate dean for professional programs and services. The Smith School CIBER will include a 2008 national Conference on Global Security directed at centering the academic, corporate and government communities around vital and leading issues related to global security.

The Smith School CIBER will operate with the support of a number of area organizations including the State of Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, World Trade Center Institute, and the World Bank. The center will also collaborate with other CIBERs to help increase the reach and impact of the Department of Educations CIBER Program. The Smith School CIBER will begin operating on July 1, 2006 and will be directed by Vinod Jain, senior director of professional programs and services, along with co-director Koerwer. Washington area businesses and organizations seeking more information about the Smith School CIBER can contact Vinod Jain at phone: 301-651-2818.

CIBERs were created under the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 to increase and promote the nation's capacity for international understanding and economic enterprise. The program links the manpower and information needs of U.S. business with the international education, language training and research capacities of universities across the United States.

About the Robert H. Smith School of Business
The Robert H. Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized leader in management education and research for the digital economy. One of 13 colleges and schools at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Smith School offers undergraduate, full-time and part-time MBA, Executive MBA, PhD, and Executive Education programs, as well as outreach services to the corporate community. The school offers its degree, custom and certification programs in learning locations in four continents including North America, Europe, Africa and Asia. More information about the Robert H. Smith School of Business can be found at www.rhsmith.umd.edu.