First Western-Style MBA Program In Eastern Europe Graduates Initial Class

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The first Western-style master's of business administration program in Eastern Europe will graduate its first class Saturday as the result of a U.S.-Canadian effort involving funding from the federal governments of both countries and the faculty and administration at the University at Buffalo and University of Ottawa.

Close to a dozen participants, most of whom continue to work full-time as engineers, managers, small-business owners or employees of state-owned enterprises, will receive MBA degrees in ceremonies held by the Riga Business School at Riga Technical University in Riga, Latvia.

The commencement address will be delivered by William R. Greiner, president of the University at Buffalo.

UB is a founding partner with the University of Ottawa in the program, established in 1992 to facilitate Latvia's adaptation and transition to a market-based economy. In addition to the graduating class, there are two other classes enrolled in the program and another class expected to begin in the fall.

The two universities provide technical assistance to the program, which is funded by the U.S. and Canadian federal governments. They provide faculty who teach the MBA courses, and are involved in training the Latvian faculty who are expected to eventually take over all teaching responsibilities, and in developing links with the Latvian business community.

As part of the program, UB's Intensive English Language Institute established an English language center in Riga, also funded by the U.S. government, to provide English instruction to the MBA students before they begin the core MBA program. The two-year core program, similar to the program offered at UB, is conducted entirely in English.

There also are advantages for the sponsoring universities, according to John Thomas, associate dean of international studies and programs in the UB School of Management.

The program, he noted, offers the UB School of Management a unique opportunity for exchange programs through which its faculty and advanced graduate students will assist various Latvian business and educational enterprises. It also opens the door for Latvian companies to take advantage of trade and investment opportunities in New York State, he added.

UB's participation was initially funded by the U.S. Information Agency. The university expects to receive continuing funding for three years from the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Besides Greiner and his wife, Carol, other members of the UB delegation attending the commencement ceremony will be Stephen C. Dunnett, Ph.D., vice provost for international education; Voldemar Innus, senior associate vice president for university services and a Latvian-American who was instrumental in development support for the program at UB; John M. Thomas, associate dean for international programs in the UB School of Management, and Philip B. Wels, M.D., chair of the University Council.

Since the early 1970s, the University at Buffalo has helped develop management-education programs and programs in English for Specific Purposes, especially English for science and technology and English for business purposes, in cooperation with education institutions throughout the world.