Despite a global recession, India’s economy has been growing at a steady pace and the prime minister expects it to expand at least 7 percent this year. Even if you’re not planning to start or expand a business in India, exploring its business climate and culture can be an enlightening experience. In this edition of Smith Business Close-Up with the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business, MBA student Scott Lewis talks about a recent international study trip to India and the insights he and his fellow classmates gained there. 

Darden hosted an inter-MBA cricket tournament on April 3, 2010. Five teams participated in the tournament; University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School, and the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business fielded three teams. The teams were split in two groups: “Pool A” having Smith and Darden Wilkinson teams playing each other in the best of three playoff format with the winner advancing to the final.

It couldn’t have been louder. Green bid sheets flew back and forth across the auditorium and students huddled in intense conversations, sometimes pulling a professor over to consult. The commotion was part of an experiential learning game for the QUEST Honors Fellows program that challenged participants to grow a nation’s economy while simultaneously managing its carbon footprint.

The Smith School established the Krowe Teaching Excellence Awards to recognize those who have demonstrated superior teaching skills. The Smith School Teaching Enhancement Committee appoints an Ad Hoc Committee to recommend awardees based on nominations from students, faculty, and alumni. The awardees for 2012-2013 are as follows: Krowe Awards Ritu Agarwal (DO&IT) Recognized for excellent teaching ratings in various classes including MBA, PhD, EMBA, and Gemstone courses.

For Haiti, still reeling from a devastating earthquake -- and other developing nations ravaged by disaster -- the primary focus is on humanitarian aid. But beyond government and philanthropic support, entrepreneurs could have an impact. In this edition of Smith Business Close-Up with the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business, Melissa Carrier, executive director of the Center for Social Value Creation, discusses how entrepreneurship and innovation can help solve global challenges.

 

College Park, Md. – March 12, 2010 – Curt Grimm, Dean’s Professor of Supply Chain and Strategy at the Robert H. Smith School of Business, was named a 2010-2011 Distinguished Scholar-Teacher by the University of Maryland. Grimm is one of five faculty members recognized campus-wide in the prestigious program, which honors tenured faculty who have demonstrated outstanding accomplishments as educators and notable achievements in their respective fields.

College Park, Md. – March 11, 2010 – The University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business today announced it will receive $1.5 million from the BB&T Foundation to support to business ethics and leadership programs. Awarded over a 10-year period, the gift will fund new curriculum and the BB&T Colloquium on Capitalism, Ethics and Leadership lecture series at the Smith School’s new Center for Leadership, Innovation and Change, which will launch in the fall of 2010.

Toyota, the automaker once revered for safety, has been reeling after recalling more than 8 million vehicles for mechanical issues that could pose safety threats. With congressional hearing, public apologies, and a roller coaster market response, can Toyota recover or will it be lapped by its competitors? In this edition of Smith Business Close-Up with the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business, Dr. Curt Grimm talks about Toyota’s business problems, recovery strategy, and opportunities for competitors.

College Park, Md. – March 11, 2010 – The University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business today announced it will receive $1.5 million from the BB&T Foundation to support to business ethics and leadership programs. Awarded over a 10-year period, the gift will fund new curriculum and the BB&T Colloquium on Capitalism, Ethics and Leadership lecture series at the Smith School’s new Center for Leadership, Innovation and Change, which will launch in the fall of 2010.