HBCU-CIBER INITIATIVE, TOUR OF JUNE 2005:

FACULTY AREA STUDIES ON AFRICA

AND FACULTY STUDY ABROAD

 

 

THE CIBER CENTERS AT

Georgia Tech

University of Connecticut

University of Florida

University of Kansas

 University of Memphis

University of Wisconsin

Indiana University

Michigan State University

Texas A&M University

Present

Faculty Area Studies Seminar on Africa and

Faculty Study Abroad Tour in South Africa and Botswana

for

HBCUs Participating in the Globalizing Business Schools Program

 

 

An Initiative of the Institute for International Public Policy, UNCFSP (IIPP) and Nine* Title VI funded Centers for International Business Education & Research (CIBERs). The partners in this initiative are seeking to provide a replicable model for institutions of higher education for training underrepresented minorities for international careers and to build the capacity of those institutions to produce internationally-aware citizens engaged in international careers.

A coalition of the above-listed partners and 15 Historically Black Colleges and Universities have received support from the U.S. Department of Education for programming in 2005 and 2006 that will include a "Faculty Seminar on Africa: Business, Culture, Economics, and Trade" and a "Faculty Study Abroad Tour in South Africa and Botswana."

The two "Faculty Seminars on Africa: Business, Culture, Economics, and Trade" will be offered in Memphis for business faculty of the participating HBCU institutions in May 2005 and 2006.  A rich curriculum will be offered over three days with presentations by specialists on the business, trade, and economics of Africa (see attached agenda).

Also in June 2005 and 2006, the Globalizing Business Schools Program will offer a two-week faculty study abroad tour of South Africa and Botswana.  Two business faculty members from each participating HBCU will be invited to participate in these study abroad trips.  The study-abroad opportunities will focus on the cultural, social, political, and economic issues in doing business in these two African countries (see attached  preliminary agenda).

In selecting participants for the study tours, preference will be given to faculty who: (1) have not previously visited South Africa or Botswana; (2) are committed to utilizing the knowledge gained on this trip in the classroom, research, or partnership projects with faculty and institutions in Africa; and (3) are at an early stage of their career in teaching and conducting research on international business.

The study abroad tour will include five days in Cape Town and the Western Cape (major import/export shipping center), three days in Johannesburg and Gauteng (the financial, industrial, and mining center of South Africa), and four days in Gaborone, Botswana (the financial and political capital of Botswana, the fastest growing economy in Africa during the past decade).  The program will provide an opportunity for participants to interact with business faculty at four leading South African institutions (University of Cape Town, University of Western Cape, Stellenbosch University, University of the Witwatersrand), financial and business leaders, labor leaders, and medium and small scale South African and Botswana entrepreneurs.  In addition, there will be numerous site visits to a diversity of business enterprises from large shipping ports, mines, and modern factories to wine producers and microenterprises in urban townships.  Special attention will be given to the post-apartheid commitment to Black Empowerment and to South Africa's growing economic involvement and influence throughout Africa.

The program will situate contemporary economic and business practice in South Africa and Botswana within a broader historical, social, and political context.  We will do this through a series of lectures by experts on South Africa during the pre-departure orientation and while in Southern Africa and through participation in cultural events.

For further information, contact Irem Kiyak (kiyak@msu.edu, 517-353-4336), Associate Director, MSU-CIBER or John Metzler (metzler@msu.edu) or David Wiley (wiley@msu.edu, 517-353-1700), MSU African Studies Center.

Faculty Study Abroad Tour in South Africa and Botswana for HBCUs Participating in Cohort I of the Globalizing Business Schools Program

 

June 17-July 1, 2005

 

Tentative Schedule:

Friday June 17              Depart from US to Cape Town South Africa

Saturday June 18          Arrive Cape Town

Sunday June 19            Free time & Visit Robben Island, Cape Town

Monday June 20           Program TBD, Cape Town

Tuesday June 21          Program TBD, Cape Town

Wednesday June 22      Program TBD, Cape Town

Thursday June 23         Program TBD, Cape Town

Friday June 24             Depart from Cape Town to Johannesburg

Saturday June 25         Tour or Soweto and Apartheid Museum

Sunday June 26           Visit area gold mine

Monday June 27           Program TBD, Johannesburg

Tuesday June 28          Depart from Johannesburg to Gaborone, Botswana

Wednesday June 29      Program TBD, Gaborone

Thursday June 30         Program TBD, Gaborone

Friday July 1                Depart from Gaborone to Johannesburg fly back from Johannesburg to the U.S. (late night)