FIU-CIBER receives major funding renewal.

Jane Schreier Jones

14 years ago

The first Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER) in Florida was one of 33 U.S. CIBERs to receive a major grant from the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). Established in 1995, the Florida International University (FIU) CIBER received the largest grant of those awarded to Florida’s three CIBERs.

“We were ecstatic when we learned the news,” said Mary Ann Von Glinow, director, FIU-CIBER, professor and Knight Ridder Eminent Scholar Chair in International Management. “The competition gets tougher each year, from schools with many more resources. But what counts is your past performance and what you propose to do in the upcoming cycle.”

The staff of FIU-CIBER: seated, Mary Ann Von Glinow. Standing left to right: Robert C. Rodriguez, program assistant; Sonia Verdu, assistant director; and Juan Fernandez, accounting coordinator

The center’s grant for 2011-14 totals $1,563,200, yielding $390,800 per year. This amount represents an annual increase of $50,000 over the previous funding cycle.

In the grant proposal, FIU-CIBER described 53 specific programs it would undertake, grouped around the two major themes set out in the application:

Improving U.S. International Competitiveness in Today’s World of Heightened Business Challenges/Security, and
Using Languages and Technology Wisely in International Business: Improving K-12, University and Business Effectiveness through Entrepreneurial, Innovative Means.

“We deliver a ‘lot of bang for the buck’ as our outreach programs touch so many students, faculty and businesspeople,” Von Glinow said. “This grant enables our faculty to research topics that are geopolitically volatile. Our students will be able to travel to places like Dubai, Moscow and Istanbul. Our local businesspeople can take advantage of trade-based matchmaking on entrepreneurial projects.”

Twenty-eight students, pictured here outside the Mosque in Abu Dhabi, participated in a ten-day study abroad program in Dubai, one of many such student programs FIU-CIBER organizes.

The 14th Annual Faculty Development in International Business Mercosur Program, organized by FIU-CIBER and led by its assistant director, enabled fifteen professors from business schools across the country to expand their understanding of South America’s economy and culture. Here they are at Viña Indomita in Chile.

Joyce J. Elam, executive dean of the College of Business Administration calls the financial support a “long-term investment” by the DOE.

“This grant recognizes our commitment to innovative program delivery and timely research in the international business arena,” she said.

Academy of International Business names Von Glinow 2010-2012 president.

The Academy of International Business (AIB), the leading association of international business scholars and specialists, has named Von Glinow as its president. Established in 1959, AIB has more than 3,400 members in 84 countries.

“Strong synergies exist between AIB and CIBERs, including FIU-CIBER,” Von Glinow said. “I hope to broaden and strengthen the relationship even more.”