Partnering with French universities

By Amber Cox

Rider opened up two new partnerships with institutions of higher education located in France to follow in the footsteps of the successful relationship with Sanda University in China.

The American Business School in Paris and Centre d’études Franco Americain de Management (CEFAM) in Lyon will allow fourth-year students to receive dual undergraduate degrees from Rider andtheir primary institution.

The American Business School and CEFAM representatives met with Dr. Larry Newman, dean of the College of Business Administration (CBA), and Dr. Steven Lorenzet, associate dean of the CBA, in February to sign the agreements.

Lorenzet said that some students will begin their studies as early as September 2009.

“Similar to domestic students, the students coming from France are still making their final decisions,” Newman said. “As a result, a final number is yet to be determined.”

The Sanda University agreement was signed in 2002 and students did not enroll until the spring semester of 2005. That agreement has allowed more than 120 Chinese students to enroll at Rider.

The American Business School and CEFAM are both global institutions, which means they will be sending students from other countries in Europe and Africa, not just France.

“The College of Business Administration continues to expand its global outreach,” Lorenzet said. “Having begun with the Sanda program, we continue to pursue additional international partnerships with the goal of further internationalizing our student body and the classroom experience for all our students.”

The American Business School and CEFAM approached the CBA about the possibility of a partnership. The American Business School is a study-abroad site for Rider students, and Rider’s Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business recognition made Rider desirable.

For the students at the American Business School, studying abroad is optional, as it is for those from Sanda University. However, the students at CEFAM are required to study in the United States during their fourth year.

According to Newman, students coming from the two schools will be able to get a dual degree easily because the programs are “closely aligned to Rider’s business curriculum.” The students will need to gain a minimum of 30 credits.

“They will of course also need to complete all degree and major requirements,” Newman said. “In essence, their requirements will be no different than a domestic student entering his or her senior year.”