Students at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business have traveled near and far throughout the 2015-16 academic year. From Vietnam to Brazil and numerous countries in between, they are broadening their global mindset, embracing cultural diversity and improving their knowledge of global business practices.
On March 3, 2016, Smith students who recently returned from a range of study abroad programs displayed poster presentations for the 1st Annual Global Showcase hosted by the Office of Global Initiatives (OGI). The event featured 13 presentations showcased by 30 students –presenting the first-of-its-kind opportunity for business students to share and learn across global programs. Poster topics ranged from accounting and auditing in Europe to business development in the United Arab Emirates to social entrepreneurship in South Africa.
Attendees filed into Frank Auditorium for a keynote speech and awards ceremony. Rebecca Bellinger, managing director of OGI and the Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER), praised the presenters for their accomplishments and reinforced the Smith School’s commitment to global learning. She pointed out that 175 Smith students have studied abroad or are currently studying abroad on semester programs and that 142 undergraduates have participated in short-term, faculty-led programs this year. “The Smith School has the highest percentage of study abroad participation on campus,” she explained. “You are all to be applauded.”
Dr. Robie Samanta Roy, vice president of Innovation and Technology at Lockheed Martin, delivered a keynote address focused on one of the main values of the Smith School: having a passion for diversity. He went on to highlight the following guiding principles in global business: be ready to embrace diverse communities, maintain cultural curiosity and adaptability, place relationship-building first and business transactions second, establish a knowledge-based global mindset, and leverage cross-cultural teams. After encouraging the students to think globally, he spent time answering questions from students, staff and faculty members in the audience.
The program concluded with an awards ceremony to recognize the top presentations in five main categories. A panel of judges with representatives from the Smith School and area businesses worked together to assess presenters on their knowledge of the topic shared, professionalism and ability to answer follow-up questions. A list of winners in each category is listed below:
Enterprise and Innovation: Social Entrepreneurship & Social Innovation in the Contemporary South African Context – Chijiaku Maduka, Sara Maloney and Tamerat Mulugeta
Doing Business in
Social Economics: Deutschland: Germany in the New Europe – Matthew Evans and Francis Liang
Opportunities & Challenges for U.S. Businesses: Opportunities and Challenges for U.S. Businesses: Marijuana Industry – Eric Lee
Fan Favorite Award: Doing Business in Dubai – Farhan Bader and Jordan Steiner
"Overall, I was extremely pleased with the Global Showcase," explained Jordan Steiner, who partnered with Farhan Bader to create winning a winning poster on Doing Business in Dubai. "I personally felt that it was a great opportunity for students to give other students advice about studying abroad. I also thought that it was an amazing chance to demonstrate our learning from studying and experiencing another country."
To learn more about global programs and initiatives at the Smith School, please visit www.rhsmith.umd.edu/global.
Special thanks to the panel of judges for the showcase: Brian Horick, Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Programs, Robert H. Smith School of Business; Deb Kielty, President and Executive Director, World Trade Center Institute; David Lewington, Area Sales Manager, DHL Express; Kislaya Prasad, Research Professor and Executive Director of CIBER, Robert H. Smith School of Business; Rebecca Ratner, Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs, Robert H. Smith School of Business; and Bob Zeinstra Jr., Assistant General Manager, Central Atlantic Toyota.
- Elizabeth Burzenski, Office of Global Initiatives
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About the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business
The Robert H. Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized leader in management education and research. One of 12 colleges and schools at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Smith School offers undergraduate, full-time and flex MBA, executive MBA, online MBA, business master’s, 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 North America and Asia.