Massoud Farahbakhsh’s

CIBES Annual Report

For Academic Year

2005-2006

Three faculty members, professors Joseph Aiyeku, Elizabeth Haran, and Massoud Farahbakhsh were invited to teach at the graduate & doctoral levels at Ramkhaeng University, in Thailand as visiting professors at different periods in 2005-6 academic year.

Dr. Farahbakhsh discussed the possibility of some form of exchange agreement during his visit to Thailand with the officials of Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University in Korat & Ramkhaeng University in Bangkok.  As a result Dr. Sauwanit Saunananda, President of 

Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University wrote a letter of interest to Dr. Nancy Harrington, President of Salem State College.

¨      The following guest speakers addressed Dr. Massoud Farahbakhsh’s BUS 473-Export/Import Management class & the School of Business faculty:

                        Ed Merguerian, International Trade Specialist

                        U. S. Export Assistance Center

                        Kathleen Newell, Trade Services Manager

                        Massachusetts Export Center

He also took his students to visit the following sites and to be lectured by the listed experts:  

                        Citizens Bank, Boston

                        Joe Mooney, Vice President

                        Yusen Air & Sea Freight, East Boston

                        Thomas Hagerty, Manager

¨      Two additional Double Diploma French students from Sup de Co Montpellier, were selected to attend the MBA program during 2005-2006 academic year & received their diplomas in May 2006.

¨      Dr. Farahbakhsh revised International Business concentration at the undergraduate level & got approval through the governance.  The changes are going to become effective in Fall 2006.

¨      Grant Applications:

"TOP: Training Opportunities Program", a proposal  submitted to the Agganis Fund in March 2005.  Total Requested: $22,500.  Total Granted: $11,250.

¨      With the assistance of Victoria Gonzales, the CIBES web site continues to grow and is regularly updated.  The site can be found at the web address below: http://www.salemstate.edu/cibes/.  

¨      Placed a number of students as interns with the Greater Boston businesses.

¨      One of the graduates of the undergraduate international business program, Marie Hladikova, who was placed as an intern with Massachusetts Export Center was hired as a Trade Specialist by the same organization.   Marie also graduated with high honors & received a number of awards at Salem State.