Chinese Studies/Business Program Receives Second Grant

By Greta Petry

The combined BA/MBA Chinese Studies and Business Administration program continues to receive growing private support with the announcement that the Freeman Foundation of Stowe, Vt., has awarded it a $204,000 grant payable over three years for student scholarships.

This new award is separate from the Starr Foundation’s $315,000 award to the program which was reported in the Sept. 17 issue of the University Update.

James Hargett, chair of the Department of East Asian Studies, said, “The Freeman Foundation award, on top of the Starr Foundation grant, supports and strengthens our overall effort to get our students to China and to bring outstanding students from China here. That not only strengthens our department but I think enhances global awareness among our students, which is essential today.”

China’s importance as a rapidly developing market is widely recognized by economists and business executives. Albany’s unique program will produce bilingual MBAs who are trained to assume positions in management, marketing, finance, and information systems in the Chinese market. Graduates will be fluent in English and Chinese, familiar with Western and Chinese culture, and fully prepared for productive careers in international business.

The new funds will be used to provide six full scholarships to attract the best students from New York State, as well as the brightest students from mainland China to Albany’s program.

Scholarships will be targeted for Albany students entering their third year of the BA/MBA program by Fall 1998, when they begin their first academic year in China. By this time they will have had at least four semesters of Chinese language.

Three other scholarships will go to Chinese students with an A average who are graduates of Fudan University’s Class of 1998, and who will begin their MBA program in Albany. Additional monies will be targeted for recruiting trips, as well as for marketing and advertising. Project directors are Hargett and Donald Bourque, dean of the School of Business.

MBAs trained by the University will be bilingual (English and Mandarin); many, especially those from Fudan University, will be trilingual (English, Mandarin, and Shanghaiese); and will enter the job market with work and/or internship experience in an international company.

Major objectives of The Freeman Foundation include strengthening the bonds of friendship between the U.S. and the countries in East Asia.