Overview
The Center for International Business Studies (CIBS) is responsible for internationalizing the business programs at Mays Business School as well as the international business dimension of other programs at Texas A&M University. CIBS receives university support for its administrative operations, but relies on private sector donations and grants for research, outreach and educational enrichment programs.
Within the CIBS framework, a U.S. Department of Education-designed Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER)* has been in operation at Texas A&M since 1990. CIBERs are established at selected universities to improve America’s capacity for international understanding and economic enterprise by providing enhanced international business education, research and outreach activities that help U.S. businesses compete effectively in the rapidly expanding global market.
The CIBER at Texas A&M has been a leader in providing students and business managers with the skills to:
- understand foreign cultures and business practices,
- perceive and grasp overseas marketing and investment opportunities,
- overcome language barriers and
- deal effectively with foreign governments and international institutions.
CIBS’ record of accomplishments is further reflected by rapidly expanding research at Mays involving key international business topics. In addition, there is a broad and growing menu of courses and curricula devoted to international business across both graduate and undergraduate programs in all departments.
Outreach activities developed by CIBS respond to the growing international needs of business men and women, teachers in public schools and professors at other colleges and universities in the region. CIBS has also helped Texas A&M become a global forum for discussion of critical international issues by visiting governmental leaders, academics and business executives from other nations.
And finally, CIBS has established a wide variety of student exchange and study abroad programs with universities worldwide that allow Texas A&M students and faculty to develop and share their knowledge and experiences with people from other universities, cultures and nations.
*Administered by the U.S. Department of Education under Title VI, Part B of the Higher Education Act of 1965, the CIBER program links the manpower and information needs of U.S. business with the international education, language training and research capacities of universities across the U.S. Seventeen universities are currently designated as centers that serve as regional and national resources to business, students and academics. Together, the CIBERs form a powerful network focused on improving American competitiveness and providing comprehensive services and programs that help U.S. business succeed in global markets.