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Media Release

March 5, 2004

Free trade in business ideas underway at UniSA

UniSA and a visiting group of American MBA students are proving that free trade is alive and well – at least when it comes to sharing knowledge and ideas.

From March 6 -12, UniSA’s International Graduate School of Management (IGSM) will co-host a visit of 35 American MBA students and staff from the McCombs School of Business of the University of Texas in Adelaide’s sister city, Austin.

During their time in Adelaide, the American students will team up with local UniSA MBA students from IGSM to undertake management projects on American companies with South Australian operations.

The IGSM students will be working alongside their American counterparts to help gather information and provide a face-to-face Australian context for their work during the visit.

Given the backdrop of the recently announced Free Trade Agreement between the United States and Australia, the visit is both timely and topical says IGSM program director, Bob Gilliver.

"This project demonstrates a valuable context for Australian and American MBA students, building bridges for people at the very start of their careers," says Gilliver.

"These students are getting a chance to work together on real life business projects, developing a valuable network of contacts and professional experience for the future."

Australian industry sectors taking part in the program include printing, telecommunications, clothing manufacture, food services and financial services sector.

"What is exciting and truly useful for our MBA group is the potential for global collaboration starting at the student level. UniSA students will continue their involvement electronically in the projects after the American students return to Texas," say Gilliver.

With more than 1,000 MBA students, McCombs School of Business is consistently ranked in the top 25 in the United States. The school is also home to the Moot Corp Challenge, the most prestigious entrepreneurship competition for MBA students from all over the world.

The American students will also visit local businesses and political leaders during their time in South Australia, and participate in series of talks and discussions on topics such as the global economy, recent World Trade Organisation and Free Trade Agreement developments, a review of Australian venture capital and the penetration of Australian wines in the American market.

Scheduled speakers include:

The MBA students visit is being jointly hosted by UniSA and The University of Adelaide.

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