Global EMBA Program Launched

The Robert H. Smith School of Business and the Graduate School of Business Administration (GSBA) Zrich in Switzerland, have announced a strategic partnership to deliver a unique program. The Smith-GSBA Global Executive MBA will be offered to U.S. and international business executives seeking a strong competitive edge in the global marketplace.

The rigorous program will capitalize on the unique strengths of both schools combining the Smith Schools focus on the integration of business and technology, with GSBA Zrichs living case approach that builds hands-on learning and experience. Students will gain in-depth global knowledge, perspective and skills from experience gained working directly with businesses in three continents Europe, through GSBA; Asia, through Smiths programs in China; and North America, through Smiths main campus.

The Smith-GSBA Global Executive MBA, announced by Dr. Howard Frank, dean of the Robert H. Smith School of Business, in his keynote speech on March 23rd, 2005, at the Zrich MBA Congress, is the first of several planned initiatives to link the schools knowledge and best practices. In addition to the Smith-GSBA Global Executive MBA program, students in the Smith Schools domestic part-time MBA and EMBA programs will have the opportunity to take classes at GSBA Zrich, and faculty will participate in joint research, seminars and conferences.

Were bringing together the strengths of two of the worlds best business schools to deliver programming specifically designed to help executives succeed in todays global, technology-driven economy, said Dr. Howard Frank. There are differences between businesses and economies in North America and the rest of the world, differences you cant fully understand by reading a book or exchanging e-mails. Having the opportunity to study and interact with counterparts in Europe and Asia will give students a depth of experience that cannot be replicated in any other way.

The Smith School of the University of Maryland is a top-ranked business school and we are confident that the new strategic cooperation with Smith and the Global Executive MBA in particular will help insure GSBA Zrich's leading position in executive degree education in Central Europe, said Dr. Albert Sthli, dean of GSBA Zrich. The cooperation will allow us to bring our unique living case method to the Smith School and thereby to the United States and Asia. The living case puts students into the managerial driving seat of the companies they study, in real time.

GSBA Zrich was ranked No. 1 in German-speaking Europe and No. 3 in Europe by the Financial Times and in a recent book published by the Frankfurter Allgemeine newspaper.

The Smith-GSBA Global Executive MBA is a 24-36 month program targeted toward mid-to-senior career business professionals with at least eight years of professional experience. The program is designed around two-week blocks with executives completing blocks in Asia, the United States and Europe. Participants must complete a total of nine blocks (six 2-week blocks and three 3-day blocks) within 36 months to graduate. Courses will be jointly taught by GSBA Zrich and Smith faculty in the three learning locations, and will focus on delivering GSBA Zrichs unique living case approach, which allows students to work directly with companies as consultants.