Posted by Kara Kennedy on 2008-06-19

In an effort to foster educational and cultural exchanges, Samford's Brock School of Business will host a breakfast for Indonesian Ambassador, Sudjadnan Parnohadiningrat, on Wednesday, June 25 at 7:30 a.m. at the Medical Forum/Sheraton Birmingham. The Alabama Development Office in partnership with the Brock School of Business is hosting the event in order to promote Indonesia and its relations with the United States.

Indonesia is the world's third largest democracy with a population of more than 230 million. With the largest economy in Southeast Asia, it ranks fifth worldwide in exports and is the number one exporter in Southeast Asia. As the Indonesian economy expands, its vibrant regional autonomy offers new avenues for investment access and sales opportunities. Indonesia's internal growth has also sparked a demand for American-made products and services, and as a result, a number of American companies have opened for business in Indonesia, such as Starbucks, A&W, Dunkin' Donuts and Serta. The Global Peace Index also recently ranked Indonesia as among the top three best performers worldwide for improving its business environment making the market for doing business in Indonesia favorable.

"Alabama understands that in today's global economy, relationships count," said Gov. Bob Riley. "By hosting distinguished visitors such as Ambassador Parnohadiningrat, we nurture and strengthen these relationships, resulting in new educational and economic opportunities for our state."

The visit by the Indonesian Ambassador is the first in a series of international speakers that the Brock School of Business will host this fall and spring of next year. The purpose of the series is to foster education and build good relationships with global trade partners in an effort to enhance economic development and cultural understanding in Alabama.

"Our role at the Brock School of Business is to help bring about a better understanding of global economies and their important strategic relationships in the United States and within Alabama," said Beck A. Taylor, dean of the Brock School of Business. "Hosting an international business speakers series gives us the opportunity to educate and to demonstrate just how important it is for us to learn about other cultures and how they influence our economic growth."

The event on June 25 is open and free to the public, but reservations are required. The breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m. at the Medical Forum/Sheraton Birmingham. To register contact (205) 726-2364 or visit www.samford.edu/business.


About the Brock School of Business at Samford University:

The renaming of the Samford School of Business to the Brock School of Business in December 2007 is the latest in a long history of achievements for business education at Samford, which has offered degrees in business and commerce since 1922. In 1965, the School of Business was established to offer both bachelor's and master's degrees in business. Alabama's first part-time master of business administration degree program was established at Samford, and the first MBA degrees were awarded in 1967. The master of accountancy degree was approved in 1995. The business school was fully accredited by AACSB International in 1999, a recognition earned by less than 10 percent of business schools worldwide.

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.