The University has signed a "memorandum of understanding" with the Instituto de Empresa in Madrid, a Spanish university with top-ranked business programs, to facilitate cooperation between the institutions.
"The collaboration is driven by a combination of educational opportunities for students and programs that connect faculty," said David Kennedy '76, vice president for International Affairs and interim director of the Watson Institute for International Studies.
The memorandum, which was signed by Provost David Kertzer '69 P'95 P'98 and Rector of the Instituto de Empresa Santiago Iniguez on Feb. 3, does not create any new programs or "formal institutional affiliations." Instead, it strives to provide a foundation for increased interaction between the universities and discussion of joint seminars and other educational, cultural and research activities, according to a University statement.
Kennedy said the planning and actual implementation of the exchange programs are still under discussion.
He said the University hopes to explore "intellectually what we can do in management and entrepreneurship (programs) with IE" and to provide more opportunities for students concentrating in Commerce, Organizations and Entrepreneurship or pursuing a masters degree with the Program in Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship.
The University also aspires to attract more students to Brown's Summer and Continuing Studies programs and to find new internship and summer studies opportunities for Brown students in Spain, he said.
But there will probably not be another regular semester- or year-long study abroad program established between the two schools, Kennedy said, adding that the administration is instead trying to "bring new things to the table."
"It's a long process. We have been talking with them for more than one year," Kennedy said. "I will be back (in Spain) in a few weeks for one or two days to continue the conversation."
"I certainly expect that we will start some programs in 2009 and more in 2010," he added.
Students interviewed by The Herald said they were happy to have greater interaction with the international community.
"It sounds like a great opportunity," said Vivienne Vicera '11, a COE and International Relations concentrator. She said she would be interested in knowing more about potential programs offered by the Instituto de Empresa.
Peter Drinan '11, an IR and education concentrator, said that "since the economy is increasingly global, it's good to have international relations and international opportunities ... to strengthen our relationship with the international community."
The 2009 Financial Times MBA program ranking listed the Madrid-based business school as third in Europe and sixth worldwide, according to a recent Instituto de Empresa press release.