Purdue News

October 1999 Krannert opening graduate school in Germany WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- In an initiative prompted by German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, Purdue University's Krannert Graduate School of Management this month will launch a private business school in Hanover, Germany. Purdue and a private German foundation that combines corporate and government interests have formed a partnership to create the German International School of Management and Administration. A pilot class of about 20 students from around the world will start work there Aug. 19 on a master's of science degree in industrial administration. Download Photo Here Photo caption below "This program is a significant addition to Purdue's international leadership," said Purdue President Steven C. Beering. "Germany is a key member of the international community, and I see this partnership as an outstanding opportunity to create mutual benefits." Schroeder, while prime minister of Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen), voiced concern about the international competitiveness and quality of German managers. He found that those who had been most successful had gathered experience abroad, for the most part in the United States. The Germans said Purdue's Krannert School was selected because of its high ranking among peer institutions, stringent academic and leadership requirements, affordability, and job placement success. The German foundation has agreed to pay Purdue $27 million over the first five years of the 10-year contract. This is a first-of-its-kind agreement for Germany and promises to include not only German students, but to build an international student body. The new business school initially will offer Germany's first one-year course of study resulting in a master of science degree in industrial administration or a master of business administration degree. The plans also call for a two-year executive master's degree program for working managers to begin in the year 2000. Both programs will culminate in Purdue University degrees. Richard Cosier, who became dean of Krannert on Aug. 1, said: "I am really excited about this important partnership. A key part of my vision is for Krannert to be recognized as a major player in international business education. Along with our current strengths in international executive education, this program in Germany will certainly help realize this vision. President Beering and former Dean Dennis Weidenaar and Professors Dan Schendel and Jerry Lynch from Krannert are to be commended for their major roles in this project." Under the agreement, experienced faculty members from the Krannert School -- who will reside part-time in Germany during the academic year -- will teach using their Purdue curriculum. Schendel, a professor of management who specializes in strategic management and has taught in the graduate programs at Purdue for 34 years, is the dean of the new school. The administrative and support staff will be from Germany. The goal is to train and advise the German faculty and staff to operate independently of Purdue. "What a wonderful opportunity this is for Purdue and Krannert to help start a major business school, the first independent graduate school for Germany, the largest single economy and industrial community in Europe," Schendel said. "We can help them, and help ourselves, learn about preparing professional managers for global business competition in the years ahead. We are very excited about this chance for our faculty and students to learn more about managing global enterprises." Klaus Stuhr, the German organizer of the project and a former head of the Department of Economic Policy in the State Ministry of Economic Affairs in Lower Saxony, was quoted earlier in the German press as saying the school "is not intended to be an instrument of educational policy in Lower Saxony, but an important factor in the state's economic policy." The cost of a master's degree from the German school would be comparable to the same program in the United States. Students are expected to come from Germany, other European nations and other countries from around the world to prepare themselves for positions in industry and public administration. "The school as well as its students will truly be international in background and outlook," Schendel said. Sources: Dan Schendel, (765) 494-4386; schendel@mgmt.purdue.edu Richard Cosier, (765) 494-4366; rcosier@mngt.purdue.edu Klaus Stuhr, 49 511 546 0931; mobile phone, 49 17 1 26 55 711 Writer: Jeanne Norberg, (765) 494-2084; jeanne_norberg@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu PHOTO CAPTION: Purdue President Steven C. Beering (left) and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder sign an agreement in Washington, D.C., to create the German International School of Management and Administration. Courses will be taught by faculty from Purdue's Krannert Graduate School of Management, and students will earn Purdue degrees. (Purdue News Service Photo.) Color photo, electronic transmission, and Web and ftp download available. Photo ID: Krannert.Germany Download Photo Here To the Purdue News and Photos Page