East Lansing � November 23, 2009 - A �General Agreement for Academic Cooperation� between The School of Hospitality Business at MSU and University of Macau, Macao SAR, The People�s Republic of China, has been signed to �foster cooperation in education and research� between the two institutions. 

The agreement, which continues The School�s efforts to extend its reach globally, encourages academic collaboration between the faculty and students in both universities in a number of possible ways:

• The exchange of materials in education and research, publications, and academic information
• The exchange of faculty and research scholars
• The exchange of students
• Joint research and meetings for education and research
• Technical assistance

Signatories to the historic agreement include Dr. Ronald F. Cichy, Director and Professor in The School; Dr. Elvin C. Lashbrooke, Jr., Interim Dean of The Eli Broad College of Business; Dr. Jeffrey M. Riedinger, Dean of MSU�s International Studies and Programs; and Dr. Lou Anna K. Simon, President of Michigan State University.  Signing for University of Macau are Professor Michael Gift, Interim Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration, and Professor Wei Zhao, Director of the University.

Faculty in The School are enthusiastic about the agreement and the opportunities it presents.  Associate Professor Dr. A.J. Singh, who leads The School�s Study Abroad program to China, Macau, and Hong Kong, looks forward to joint research projects and faculty exchanges, as well as the involvement of graduate students from China in joint research.  �There is also potential for engaging The Venetian Macao, University of Macau, and The School in applied and proprietary research,� he says. 

Dean James Rainey, The School�s director of Academic Programs, agrees, saying, �The Agreement provides a wide variety of possible linkages for our faculty and students.  I am particularly hopeful that Study Abroad opportunities will continue to develop.  Completing a Study Abroad experience is one of the most valuable complements to their classroom instruction here that our students can have.�

Jan Van Lente, academic adviser in The School, who marshaled the Agreement through the approval process at MSU, is particularly enthusiastic about the global possibilities for students who will have potential access to University of Macau facilities and faculty while studying abroad.  In addition, she says, �I welcome the possible exchange of students between the universities.�

Dr. Cichy has yet another benefit in mind: the collaboration of MSU and University of Macau faculty in providing executive development programs for businesses in Macau and China.  �We have already developed and presented a four-week Executive Development Course for executives from The Venetian Macao; surely this agreement will open more doors.� 

The Agreement is an example of the increasingly global nature of The School�s programmatic endeavors.

About The School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State University
Recognized as the top-ranked hospitality business school in the world, The School celebrates its 82nd year anniversary in 2009.   The School has more than 9,000 graduates worldwide, including a number of leading academicians and industry executives, who have earned both undergraduate and graduate degrees.  Founded in 1927, the mission of The School is to continually enhance The School's leadership position in hospitality business education through teaching, research, and service.  The School offers an exceptionally well-crafted curriculum, taught by innovative professors who are leading textbook authors, sought-after consultants, and respected researchers.  The mission of The School of Hospitality Business Alumni Association is to provide active leadership in support of the mission of The School of Hospitality Business through membership participation, image enhancement, financial commitment, and promotion of synergies among students, faculty, alumni, and friends.  The First, The Original, and STILL The Leader. . . The School of Hospitality Business.  For more information, please visit www.bus.msu.edu/shb/