New center at OU integrates economic development and student preparation efforts

Rochester, Mich. - The new Center for Integrated Business Research and Education (CIBRE) at Oakland University's School of Business Administration is harnessing the power of integration to prepare business professionals, researchers and students to effectively manage rapid changes in the business world.

 "CIBRE thoughtfully and strategically tackles the challenge of building a sustainable economic foundation and ensures that tomorrow's employees will be prepared to flourish in any new reality" said Oakland University President Gary Russi.

SBA Dean Mohan Tanniru added, "This is a place where business leaders, researchers, professionals and students come together to share resources and ideas, identify actions to address organizational issues, educate current and future professionals, and support economic development in the community and the world."

The center connects the SBA with other units on campus and institutions across the nation and the world for joint research on a wide range of contemporary issues. These include product life cycle management; lean management; the integration of global strategy with internal IT competencies; health care management; law; entrepreneurship; global business research that covers IT; international marketing and branding; strategy, governance and reporting system integration; virtual teamwork and communication; knowledge sharing; and more.

CIBRE also is host to educational innovations and outreach efforts. Special programs now in development are focusing on the need to reeducate and retrain displaced workers.

Through CIBRE, the SBA will continue providing outstanding education in financial planning, paralegal and CPA certification. It also will continue to offer exceptional preparation of professionals in accounting, engineering, teaching and other fields.

For more information on CIBRE, visit the center's Web site at www.sba.oakland.edu/cibre.