Coles College of Business at KSU Forming Agreement with Kazak American University;Agreements with More Academic Institutions in Former Soviet Republics Also Likely
The Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State University is in the process of forging a formal…
Georgia (Jul 18, 2003) — Coles College of Business at KSU Forming Agreement with Kazak American University;Agreements with More Academic Institutions in Former Soviet Republics Also Likely
Staff
Abstract
The Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State University is in the process of forging
a formal academic agreement with Kazak American University in the former Soviet republic
of Kazakhstan. It is also pursing agreements with nine more central Asian universities.
“This is the first step toward a program which supports joint academic programs and
faculty training‚” says Coles College Dean Tim Mescon. “This will further the Coles
College’s goal of educational excellence in international business.”
In February‚ Kamal Fatehi‚ the Chairman of KSU’s Department of Management and Entrepreneurship
traveled to the former Soviet countries of Kazakhstan‚ Tajikistan and Kyrgizstan in
central Asia. His goal was to establish academic relationships with nine institutions.
The agreement with Kazak American University will the first to be formalized.
“Such agreements will help KSU gain a presence in those developing countries‚ which
have abandoned Soviet economic and governmental systems but have not yet fully established
new systems‚” Fatehi says. “These relationships are important to help open up central
Asia to economic development.”
The countries are rich in natural resources‚ including oil‚ Fatehi says‚ but are under−developed.
At the same time‚ each country already has well−established and well−financed universities‚
so many American institutions are competing to establish global connections. He says
Kazak American chose KSU because of its dedication to the effort.
The agreement will be signed at a future date. The president of Kazak American University
is expected to come to Kennesaw for the signing. Fatehi has also been invited to teach
at Kazak American University‚ where he lectured during his initial visit. After the
formal agreement is signed‚ the next step toward establishing an academic exchange
will be to pursue funding through the State Department or private sources.
“The U.S. is trying to build up countries that were neglected under the Soviet regime‚
especially after what happened in Afghanistan‚” Fatehi adds.
In addition to the agreement with Kazak American‚ KSU is also pursuing academic relationships
with:
The Academy of Management‚ Kyrgyz European University‚ and the Institute of Economics
in Kyrgizstan
The Strategic Research Center‚ Tajik National University and the Institute of Economics
in Tajikistan
Kazak British Technical University‚ the Center for Management Education & Development
and the International Academy of Business in Kazakhstan
As part of an unrelated outreach‚ four students from the former Soviet countries of
Armenia‚ Tajikstan‚ Russia and Armenia will soon arrive in Kennesaw to study at the
Coles College. The student exchange was set up through IREX International Research
and Exchanges Board‚ a nonprofit organization that administers the U.S. State Department’s
educational program. Another four students‚ from the Ukraine‚ Russia and Kazakhstan‚
who studied at the business school this year‚ recently returned home.
“This sort of exchange adds to cultural richness and the diversity of the campus‚”
Fatehi says. “They become our friends and representatives in their home countries.”
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Kennesaw State University is a comprehensive‚ residential institution with a growing
student population of 15‚600 from 123 countries. The fourth largest state university
out of 34 institutions in the University System of Georgia‚ KSU offers more than 55
undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its nearly 43,000 students. With 11 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 6 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.
