Dean Miciak Visits China to Strengthen Global Ties

Dean Alan R. Miciak of the Palumbo•Donahue School of Business is winding up a recruiting trip to China, where he has been spreading the word about sustainability programs and Duquesne.

Miciak’s China itinerary, extending from April 14-21, has included stops at Jiangci University of Finance and Economics, University of Electronic Science and Technology-Zhongshan, Beijing Normal University-Zhuhai Campus, Jinan University and the University of South China, University of Technology. The trip also included a visit to Beijing Jiaotong University, which sends faculty to Duquesne’s business school every fall.

“I made six presentations on sustainable business strategy to students from these schools and also introduced them to opportunities to study at Duquesne,” Miciak reported from China, across a 12-hour time difference. “My purpose is to strengthen a partnership with Beijing Jiaotong University and look for further partners for cooperation: student and faculty exchanges, undergraduate and graduate recruiting, and the potential for a study center in China.”

The Office of International Programs has shifted its strategy in recruitment abroad, working more closely with educational consultants in certain geographic areas, said Joe DeCrosta, director of international programs. Miciak reinforced the message about Duquesne. “Having the assistance of Al Miciak, as a dean, certainly shows the University’s commitment in working with international students,” DeCrosta said.

In May, business faculty members will lead undergraduate and graduate business students in trips to China and India.

“Sustainability is obviously a worldwide issue,” said Associate Dean William Spangler, who will travel to China. “Both of these countries are under economic and population pressures, but both are pursuing sustainability in different areas. They are two very, very good contexts for studying the global impacts of business on the environment and different approaches to sustainable management.”