UPENN's Lauder Institute Hosts Business Language Conference

Experts on international business education and language training meet March 24-26 in Philadelphia to discuss how to enhance the competitiveness of U.S. business globally

PHILADELPHIA, March 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Lauder Institute and the Wharton School and the Penn Language Center at the University of Pennsylvania (UPENN) will host the 12th annual CIBER Business Language Conference March 24-26, 2010.  The conference will provide a discussion forum of business education and language experts dedicated to the understanding of international business cultures and advancing U.S. competitiveness in international business.  The program is funded through the U.S. Department of Education's Centers for International Business Education and Research (CIBER) grant program.

"Scholars, business professionals and students recognize that language training and understanding other cultures are essential in the global workplace," said Kenric Tsethlikai, the Director of Language and Culture Programs at the Lauder Institute and conference host.  "The conference brings together professionals who prepare future leaders through business language education. The most successful American companies in our global marketplace understand the value, and this conference will help demonstrate how investment in this type of foreign language training can give us the edge we need to remain an economic powerhouse."

Examples of topics explored during the three-day conference will range from "When Does Yes mean No in Chinese Culture?" to "Addressing the Financial Crisis in Business Language Courses."

"The conference presenters will demonstrate how business language courses can support and enrich the academic and intellectual mission of college or university education while concurrently providing practical and real-world applications," notes Mauro Guillen, Professor of International Management at Wharton and Director of the Lauder Institute.  "Language training is no longer a luxury if Americans are to remain competitive in global markets."  

Conference details can be found at http://lauder.wharton.upenn.edu/2010ciberblc.

About the Lauder Institute:

The University of Pennsylvania's Lauder Institute, founded in 1983, combines a world-renowned Wharton MBA with a Master's in International Studies. High-level language and culture training, a 2 month, in-country immersion and course work from the School of Arts and Sciences prepares leaders for the ever-evolving global economy. Graduates join the diverse, supportive and committed worldwide Lauder community – continuing a 25-year tradition of international business leadership.  The Lauder Institute also offers a MA/JD joint degree.  For more information, visit www.lauder.wharton.upenn.edu.

About Penn Lauder CIBER

The Penn Lauder CIBER is one of 31 institutions currently funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Center for International Business Education & Research (CIBER) program. Established in 2002, the Penn Lauder CIBER is housed at The Joseph H. Lauder Institute of Management & International Studies. The overarching mission of the CIBER grant program is to enhance the competitiveness of U.S. business globally by linking the human capital and information needs of the U.S. business community with the international education, language training, and research capacity of universities across the United States. Within that mission, 5 key objectives guide the programs and activities of institutions with CIBER grants:

• to be a national resource for and to elevate the teaching of international business;
• to provide instruction in foreign languages and international fields needed to understand the cultures of U.S. trading partners;
• to provide research and training in the international aspects of business for students and faculty;
• to serve as a resource to businesses, both locally and nationally, through programs and activities tailored to their needs; and
• to serve faculty, teachers, and students at U.S. colleges and K-12 institutions through outreach programs and services

CIBERs serve as regional and national resources to business, students, and academics. Visit the national CIBER website for more information.

SOURCE Lauder Institute