About Institute for Global Business (IGB)

The Institute for Global Business (IGB) was established in 1996 as an academic unit within the College of Business Administration at the University of Akron through a grant from the State of Ohio.

The mission of IGB is to educate high quality international business (IB) students with requisite skills and preparation to assume leadership roles in the global business model. We offer programs in IB at the undergraduate and graduate level. With a focus on providing to our students holistic academic experience with significant global learning opportunities, the IGB has been an integral component of CBA since its inception.

Our dedicated faculty has varied international experience and expertise, is committed to student success, and pursues an active research agenda to provide enriched learning opportunity for students.

For over a decade, the College of Business Administration has been and continues to host largest number of Fulbright scholars in the state of Ohio. The GMAT score of students entering our graduate programs remains highest in North East Ohio region. The ACT score of students entering our undergraduate programs continues to rise each year. Many of our students receive significant scholarships. We currently have students from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Middle East, North America, and South America representing 22 different countries, with up to 60 countries represented in some years.

Our ever current curriculum ensures that our academic programs remain relevant. Our newly refurbished curriculum mandates study abroad component and foreign language requirement. We also strongly encourage global internships that provide our students with valuable on-the-job learning opportunity to relate the classroom concepts with corporate business practices and models.

We have a vibrant Advisory Board that is represented, from Fortune 100 companies, by senior executives who actively and regularly participate in our steering and governance processes.

We have active exchange programs with universities in Korea (Yonsei and Ulsan) and India (University of Delhi). Our recent study abroad programs have included summer academic visits to India, China, Korea, and Greece. While we encourage association with all regions, our focus is to broaden and strengthen relationships with BRICS nations.

All programs offered through the College of Business Administration are accredited by AACSB International - the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Only 579 business schools in the world, less than 5%, have achieved AACSB International accreditation. CBA is also one of only 173 business schools, out of 12,000 world-wide, with specialized accreditation for their accounting programs at all three levels.

The University of Akron is home to the Confucius Institute, established in November 2008 and supported by the Chinese Ministry of Education, dedicated to “enhancing the understanding of the Chinese language and culture” around the world.

Vision and Mission

Vision

To become a premier international business institute for:

• Preparing competent and responsible global business professionals.
• Advancing the understanding of global business practices.

Preamble

Ohio is one of the fastest growing States in the US with global reach1. To succeed in this dynamic environment, business professionals in the region must have sufficient and relevant functional knowledge of international business operations with requisite skills and competencies, cultural and ethical awareness, and necessary business acumen.

Mission

The mission of the Institute for Global Business is to create opportunity through global partnerships, study abroad and exchange programs and curriculum guidance for globalizing our students to prepare them to play a pivotal role in the fast changing business environment. The Institute shall accomplish its mission through:

• Educational advancement:

  Providing quality and relevant international business academic programs for undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students.

• Professional development:

  Training and advising business executives and government officers in global business practices.

• Collaboration with Universities and Industry:

  Partnering with foreign universities and multi-national organizations to facilitate capacity building and knowledge development of faculty and students.