University of Maryland Dean Visits Tunisia to Promote Business Education Excellence and Deliver Keynote at Mediterranean School of Business Commencement

Tunis, Tunisia January 10, 2006 Dr. Howard Frank, dean of the University of Marylands Robert H. Smith School of Business in the United States, spent a week in Tunisia to promote the development of educational and business opportunities in the region, as well as to deliver the keynote speech at the Mediterranean School of Business (MSB) commencement ceremony on January 4, at the Technology Park of Al Ghazala in Tunis. During his speech, Dr. Frank reminded students of the challenges facing them as future business leaders and offered insight into staying competitive in a fast-changing global, technology-driven economy.

Dr. Franks visit follows the announcement of a strategic collaboration and launch of a Masters of Science Degree in the Management of Information Systems and Technology (MIST) with MSB in April 2006. The Smith/MSB MIST program is the first U.S. university degree of its kind to be offered in Tunisia.

Whether youre the CEO of a major firm, the head of a government agency, or an emerging entrepreneur, you must understand the new rules of economic engagement that have resulted from the extraordinary technological developments in recent years, said Dr. Frank during his keynote address. You must constantly adapt and be receptive to change to be successful.

In our era of rapid technological changes and global competition, it is more imperative than ever that business executives invest in updating their skills and knowledge if they want to ensure the steady growth of their companies and careers, said Dr. Mahmoud Triki, dean of the Mediterranean School of Business.

While in Tunisia, Dr. Frank also met with the Tunisian Minister of Higher Education, the U.S. Ambassador to Tunis, the President of the Tunisian American Chamber of Commerce and a number of CEOs of major Tunisian companies. Discussions dealt with the opportunity to develop in Tunis a regional hub of educational excellence serving the Mediterranean, Middle East and Africa an endeavor in which the Smith School is an active and supportive partner. Dr. Frank also shared knowledge and insight gained from his tenure as dean at one of the worlds leading business schools.

The Smith School is ranked among the worlds best for its information systems programs. U.S. News & World Reports Americas Best Graduate Schools 2006 Edition ranks the Smith School as No. 5 for information systems among its U.S. individual specialty rankings. The 2005 Wall Street Journal/Harris Interactive Guide to Business Schools named the Smith School as the No. 5 pick of corporate recruiters in the technology, telecommunications and Internet industry. Corporate recruiters from all industries rated Smith as No. 7 in the world in information technology.

The Smith/MSB MIST program, which is expected to begin in early April 2006, will be a one-year program, targeting professionals in the technology or management arenas across all industry sectors. Participants will benefit from education focused on the convergence of technology, globalism, entrepreneurship and business via bi-monthly, two-week modules held at MSBs centrally-located Tunis, Tunisia campus. The final module will be held at the Smith Schools College Park, Md. campus. The program has been developed jointly by the Smith School and MSB faculty. After completing all of the requirements of each institution, graduates will receive a diploma from the University of Maryland.

About the Mediterranean School of Business
South Mediterranean University (SMU) is a regional Anglophone institution recently established (December 2002) in Tunis, Tunisia. It is conceived and managed along the lines of top U.S. universities. The Mediterranean School of Business (MSB) is the first specialized school of SMU. In 2004, MSB successfully launched an executive MBA of an international level. Presently, 80 students originating from six different countries are enrolled in this program. In addition to its management development programs, MSB is developing an ambitious exchange program with prominent universities around the world. SMUs ultimate objective is to offer its students and students from other universities a truly global education. Additional information about MSB can be found at www.msb-online.org.

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 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 three continents including North America, Europe, and Asia. More information about the Robert H. Smith School of Business can be found at www.rhsmith.umd.edu.

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