Academic Theme 
   Statement of Need 
   Project Goals 
   Project Summary/Outline of Activities 
   Project Benefits 
   About Vista University 
   Contacts and Links 
  
  
 
Academic Theme
Businesses throughout the world are struggling to understand and adjust to the erosion of protected local markets and the emergence of free global markets. Many small - and medium-sized businesses lack the trained personnel, resources and international trade networks to seriously explore the development of international markets.
 
As a part of broader community efforts to address this issue, both the Eastern Iowa Community College District (EICCD) and Vista University are providing assistance in three areas: 
  
 Increase the international literacy of their students; 
 Provide specific educational programming in
   international business; 
 Provide local companies with assistance in establishing
   global networks.
~top~
  
  
 
Statement of Need
The need for EICCD and Vista University to promote economic reform and the pursuit of international trade is compelling. Eastern Iowa experienced a wrenching economic downturn during the 1980's and into the very early 1990's.
 
Out of this experience grew a consensus among the community leadership that the emergence of global markets represents an unparalleled opportunity to diversify and strengthen the area's economic base. EICCD is publicly pledged to ensure that their students and the community have the educational tools to take advantage of this opportunity.
 
In South Africa, academic institutions are being asked to contribute to the historic cultural and economic transitions occurring in the country. An important element in that is the creation of business opportunities for people who were previously disenfranchised from the economic mainstream. The university must play a critical role in training current and future entrepreneurs and provide them with the tools to survive in a globally competitive market place.
~top~
  
  
 
Project Goals
The project sets forth three broad goals: 
 
 Enhance international business and cultural
   education programs at EICCD and Vista University; 
   
 Establish an infrastructure that will support the
   expansion and sustainability of this affiliation; 
   
 Disseminate project results and expand the scope and
   impact of the project.
~top~
  
  
 
Project Summary/Outline of Activities
The Port Elizabeth campus of Vista University and EICCD will share resources to:

 Equip students with the international business/cultural
   expertise required for them to be successful in
   the 21st century economy;

 Provide community outreach and business support
   services to strengthen the competitive position of
   locally based small- and medium-sized companies.
 
  
The development of a collaborative applied research project will be a key component of this affiliation. The project will focus and integrate many of the activities of the U.S. and South African participants and will answer the following questions: 
  
 What is the current level of trade activity between
   companies in Port Elizabeth and companies in
   eastern Iowa? 
    
 Do opportunities exist to expand trade between these
   areas of the world? 
    
 What specific areas of commerce provide particularly
   attractive potential for the establishment of trade
   relationships? 
    
 Are there local companies in these fields with an
   interest in exploring the establishment of trade
   relationships with the partner country? 
    
 What role can the affiliating colleges and their project
   partners play in encouraging increased international
   trade?
 
 
The end outcome of this research project will be a document entitled, International Trade Opportunities Linking Eastern Iowa with Port Elizabeth, South Africa. It will be divided into sections dealing with the business/cultural climate in each community, current and emerging trade opportunities, resources in the local community to assist companies engaging in international trade, case studies of local companies successfully engaged in international trade, and specific information on establishing business contacts in the partner community.
~top~
  
  
 
Project Benefits 
The intercultural competence of both institutions will be enhanced. Instructors will gain first hand knowledge of the business environment in another country. New curriculum materials will be developed, providing students with a broadened international perspective.
 
Business education faculty will examine the business culture of a trading partner country and will develop curriculum modules based upon this experience. Both colleges will strengthen and expand outreach services to the local business community and will jointly create a U.S./South Africa Trade Forum.
 
The project will provide an important component for the establishment of an International Business and Culture Institute that will serve both institutions following expiration of the grant. Additionally, an ongoing faculty exchange program will be established between Vista University and Community Colleges for International Development (CCID).
~top~
  
  
 
About Vista University 
Vista University is the largest university system in South Africa, second only to UNISA, which is primarily a distance education program. Vista was established by a government-appointed commission of inquiry in 1980, to meet the need to offer post-secondary education on a decentralized basis in urban areas.
 
Vista opened its doors in 1982 with 300 students. At present, Vista has seven campuses. By 1994, the total enrollment had increased to 33,746 students, of which 99 percent were black. As an autonomous university, Vista is subsidized by the state government in the same was as all other South African universities.
 
This project links with the College of Economics and Management Services, the second largest of the five colleges at the Port Elizabeth campus. This college is charged not only with education students who come from socioeconomically and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds, but it also is charged with outreach to the community and serving the needs of local business and industry.
~top~
  
  
 
Contacts and Links 
U.S. Director
Jeff Armstrong - Dean of the College
Eastern Iowa Community College District/Muscatine
Phone: 563-288-6004
Email: jarmstrong@eicc.edu
 
 
South African Director
Gideon Horn - Professor of Economics
Vista University/Port Elizabeth
Phone: 041-64-4200
Email: horn-gs@pelican.vista.ac.za
 
 
Links
 Port Elizabeth - The Friendly City
 Port Elizabeth -
Chamber of Commerce/International Links
~top~