They came from more than 5,600 miles away, as the crow flies, to attend the University of New Mexico as part of a cooperative exchange program between UNM’s ASM (ASM) and Fundaco Armando Alvares Penteado University (FAAP), a private university in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
ASM Professors Dwight Grant, Raul de Gouvea and Sul Kassicieh organize the program, which brings Brazilian EMBA students to study at UNM. Designed to give Brazilian students a U.S. business perspective, the program teaches and prepares students to work anywhere in the world.
Originally Grant, Gouvea and Kassicieh traveled to Sao Paulo, and have every year since 1998, to teach in the FAAP’s EMBA program. In 2001, the cooperative exchange was formed with two U.S. institutions including UNM. In 2002, FAAP officials decided to hold it exclusively with UNM.
“Sul, Dwight and Raul came in at the right moment and we made a good connection,” said Professor Tharcisio Souza Santos, director of FAAP’s MBA program. “We discussed the concepts of a good MBA program. Our objective was to design a world-class program and to prepare students to work anywhere in the world. During our talks, we felt many areas at UNM were closely related to FAAP. We felt we should have the program here and we’re very happy about it.”
From all indications, including those of participating students, the match between FAAP and UNM is ideal.
“For me, the best part of the program is the friendliness of the people,” said student Maria Heloisa Martini Quercetti, a marketing representative for Unido Quimica, a pharmaceutical company in Sao Paulo. “The culture is friendly and outgoing. UNM is great. I love all there is about it.”
“I decided to come back to FAAP to get my EMBA,” said Luis Fernando Pinto, sr. manager, RR Donnelley in Sao Paulo. “The experience has been really nice. I’ve been to Chicago and there’s a big difference. People in New Mexico are more friendly. The instructors make you feel at home. New Mexico seems to be different than most of the U.S. culture. The people are really different. I would suggest to people to come and spend a week here.
“Another thing is to read, discuss and learn a lot about how service is done or not in the U.S. It’s been a very good experience.”
Over the past three years, more than 100 Brazilian students have participated in the unique cooperative program. This year, 30 students took part in the exchange that consists of two seminars in Sao Paulo and four at UNM. Additionally, students have been able to take trips around New Mexico to learn about the culture including Cerrillos, Santa Fe, Madrid, and the Grand Canyon in Arizona.
Grant feels there are two keys to the success of the program.
“First of all, each faculty member has to understand the differences between cultures and the strengths and weaknesses between students,” Grant said. “Second, it’s important to have up-to-date presentation of subjects, but also a warm ambiance or atmosphere. We feel we’re improving each year.”
Among the classes students take at UNM are: Organizational Behavior and Diversity with Professor Jackie Hood; Management of Services with Professor Steve Yourstone; Mergers and Acquisitions with Professor Dante Di Gregorio; and Electronic Commerce with Kassicieh.
“The difference is the environment,” said Santos. “Students can feel the interaction with instructors. They can meet teachers out of the program. At the other institution, there were no relations, no interactions. We don’t feel this is the case at UNM.”
Kassicieh thinks this is the type of program that can enhance UNM’s reputation as the gateway to Latin America.
“Latin America is developing economically and technologically and they need MBAs who can manage in this new world economy,” said Kassicieh. “UNM has a lot to offer in business and technology management.” He added that he hopes a new set of EMBA Brazilians will be here next July.
Contacts: Tori Hobbs, (505) 277-7114; Steve Carr, (505) 277-1821