Two dozen Chinese officials from the Shandong Province have completed a yearlong accelerated M.B.A. program at Cal State Fullerton and will be honored during a reception Monday, Jan. 24.

They include the section chief of the Economic and Trade Commission of Shandong Province and the lead auditor of the Shandong Quality Certification Center, as well as managers from the People's Bank of China, Jinan International Airport, Luyin Investment Group, China Construction Bank and Shandong Communications Corp., plus engineers from the Shandong Academy of Sciences, Financial Bureau of Weifang City and Qilu Petrochemical Co.

Titan Theatre, Titan Student Union

The accelerated M.B.A. program is one of many offered by Cal State Fullerton's College of Business and Economics, in conjunction with University Extended Education, tailored for various international groups. Participants underwent intensive business writing and computer skills training, and also toured local plants and companies. Other specialized M.B.A. programs have been completed by government officials from the Liaoning Province. In 2002, a group of 15 Chinese managers completed a 14-month program with a dozen Vietnamese officials.

"Our College of Business and Economics has sponsored several programs ranging from one-day seminars to 18-month certificate programs to help Chinese government officials develop competency in business, leadership, strategy and skills in modern technology," noted Shu-Jen Chen, program coordinator and professor of information systems and decision sciences. "Statistics have shown that China is in need of more M.B.A. graduates than they are able to train themselves. Government leaders have sought the cooperation of foreign universities, such as Cal State Fullerton, to help educate their officials.

Thomas Johnson, associate dean, College of Business and Economics, at 657-278-2789 or tjohnson@fullerton.edu

Pamela McLaren of Public Affairs at 657-278-4852 or pmclaren@fullerton.edu