Business is Global 

The C. T. Bauer College of Business is expanding its footprint across the globe, with initiatives in the Philippines, Vietnam, Latin America and Africa over the last several years affirming the college’s commitment to expand students' education on an international level.  

At the beginning of the fall semester, the Office of Global Initiatives and their partner program, the Asian Institue of Management (AIM) in the Philippines, welcomed 55 new students to Bauer’s dual degree program in MIS and Data Science. The partnership was founded three years ago to expand Bauer’s outreach to other institutions that value the importance of information systems.  

Along with AIM, Bauer also partners with the International University-Vietnam National University (IU-VNU) for a 2+2 program where students take their first two years of their undergraduate at IU-VNU and finish their last two years at Bauer, and many of whom stay on to continue with their graduate studies. 

Bauer College Dean Xianjun Geng sees the Office of Global Initiatives as a key part of the college's mission for student success. 

“It’s very important that at Bauer students get a well-rounded perspective of how business is conducted globally,” he said. “Welcoming international students in our partnership with AIM also opens the door for those around the world to learn about Bauer College and leverage the strengths of our programs, even if they aren’t located in Houston.” 

Assistant Dean of Strategic and Global Initiatives Nikhil Celly said that through these global partnerships, the college is building relationships with some of the leading international business schools in the world. This not only establishes Bauer on a global level but additionally provides unique opportunities for students to learn abroad, he added. 

Celly emphasized that with everything around the world being interconnected, through trade and finance and so much more, that business is inherently global. 

“Houston is one of the most globalized cities, with our port, our infrastructure and our trade,” he said. “On all fronts, we are extremely global, and so the business school of the city being global should be no surprise.”  

Celly also shared the importance of not just learning the international nature of business through a textbook, but students truly getting to immerse themselves in a culture of a company that is different than the United States.  

Some of the countries that students can visit in the faculty-led learning abroad opportunities are Berlin, Argentina, Dubai and India, France, Germany, Greece and Singapore.  

The Office of Global Initiatives also supports the EMBA International Business Residency (IBR) where students are prepared to take on the impact of the global marketplace and immerse themselves in the country’s culture. This past year Bauer EMBA students traveled to Brazil. 

The upcoming Bauer study abroad trip students will be traveling to Germany and France for the upcoming mini-mester in December. Led by Director for Undergraduate Study Abroad Cate Wengelnik, students will engage in industry tours, international business practices and cultural activities.   

For students who aren’t able to travel abroad, the Office of Global Initiatives makes an effort to bring in visitors from these international partnership universities for virtual exchanges, COILS, seminars and events.  

There are many opportunities for Bauer students to participate in  learning abroad programs. To learn more, visit the upcoming Bauer Abroad! Fall Fair on Sept. 18 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.