SAO PAULO, Brazil - For the first time, teams from Ross' Full-time MBA and Global MBA joined forces to work on a project for the same company. Uniplen Industria de Polimeros Ltda. offered a joint project taking advantage of both programs. First they hosted a project for the Full-time MBA and then followed that with a project in the Global MBA the next month. The project objectives were two-fold, to increase efficiency in the plant and to propose a new or improved cost accounting method. While data and resources overlapped, each project was independent and required a complete report of their recommendations. Begun by the Full-time MBA team in March, their work completed in April with recommendations for improvements in scheduling and inventory management. In late April, members from both teams (pictured right) met to discuss the project. The Full-time MBA team provided background on the company and their manufacturing facility and even relayed tips on restaurants and customs they had learned during their time in Sao Paulo. The Global MBA team picked up from there and worked from May through June to develop a cost accounting model along with plans for implementation.

Uniplen is a subsidiary of Unicoba Group which is a 33 year old privately owned company established in Brazil with other businesses in electronics, contract manufacturing services, trading, and telecommunications. We thank Leonardo Park, Vice President of the Unicoba Group and alum from the Global MBA Class of 2004, who worked with Professor Bill Lanen to make this dual project a reality.

ANN ARBOR, Michigan - This year’s MAP projects took teams to new and exciting places around the globe. From May 9 through mid-June, Global MBA students could be found in Beijing, Budapest, Chennai Madras, Dalian, Geneva, Lima, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Tijuana, and Tokyo, as well as in several cities within the US. The MAP teams worked diligently, addressing very real and significant issues that companies are facing in today's global market. We were fortunate enough to partner with 10 impressive companies for this years’ projects. Four of the ten projects were initiated by Ross School of Business alumni and six of the projects were hosted by sponsors who returned this year after hosting projects for previous classes.

On June 27 and 28, the Global MBA Class of 2007 completed their final academic requirement by presenting their project recommendations to the MAP faculty team. The final presentations were conducted consecutively throughout the two days. While some project hosts joined the presentation at the school, other teams held a separate presentation at the project site to deliver their recommendations to the company's top managers. Keiko Iwamoto of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (pictured right), presents the team's final recommendations to their sponsor.

Congratulations to the Class of 2007 and many thanks to the sponsoring companies for their involvement in MAP.

ULSAN, South Korea - Upon completion of the coursework in Korea, students boarded a bus for the south east area of the Korean peninsula. Students began their tour in Korea with a visit to Hyundai Heavy Industry (HHI) in Ulsan. HHI is the largest ship builder in the world making up about 40% of global production volume and they have maintained the leading market position for more than a decade. Surprisingly, HHI has been in business just over 30 years having been established in 1972. Even so, HHI has played a key role in Korea’s economic growth over the last few decades. Joon Ho Kim, Manager of the Overseas Public Relations Department, took time to present the class with an overview of the company's history, their current initiatives, and the future plans of the company. Following the presentation, students enjoyed a guided tour of the immense facility. The HHI tour offered students a great opportunity to assess how family, timely decisions and continuous innovation play a key role in the growth of a company, as well as the Korean economy as a whole.

In the afternoon, students visited Kyungju which was the capital of the ancient Shilla Kingdom. Today, Kyungju is a prominent tourist destination. A number of sites dating back to the 7th through 9th centuries remain today. Even though the glory of the old kingdom is gone, students were able to see traces of its splendor in the temples and buildings that remain. After the tour, students had a chance to taste traditional Korean cuisine and experience Korean hospitality.

ANN ARBOR, Michigan - The Global MBA Class of 2008 touched down at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport on June 11 and were soon met by the Class of 2007 who assisted the newcomers with moving their luggage and locating their new apartments. The very next day, the students gathered for the first time at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business in Ann Arbor for their orientation. The day began with a light reception, followed by a warm greeting from the Program Director, E. Han Kim. Following Professor Kim, our Associate Dean of Degree Programs, Gene Anderson (pictured right), offered the class advice on how to make the most of their time in Ann Arbor. The new class had approximately two weeks to acclimate to their new environment before classes began again. The orientation, held on their first full day in Ann Arbor, was intended to help students in this regard.

The orientation included a tour of the business school facilities. Immediately after the tour, technicians from Ross' Information Technology Department assisted the class with accessing the school’s wireless network for the first time. Professor Kim hosted the class to lunch at the school and then the orientation continued. Next came the student check-in and health insurance overview presented by advisors from the University's International Center. The check-in also included tips for getting settled and living in Ann Arbor. Next on the agenda was a presentation by AAA of Michigan about purchasing vehicles and insurance. The day ended with the University Credit Union's presentation on the checking account as we know it in the US, a concept that is new to many of the students. The first day at the school in Ann Arbor was very exciting for everyone.

ANN ARBOR, Michigan - Just hours after completing their final MAP presentations, the Global MBA Class of 2007 joined Professor E. Han Kim for their final school sponsored event--the annual Global MBA Farewell/Welcome Dinner. Each June, students from two Global MBA classes are in Ann Arbor. One class is beginning their 13 month session in Ann Arbor while the other is completing their time in Ann Arbor, as well as, the program. During the overlap, Professor Kim hosted both classes to a dinner party in their honor. The Class of 2007 was bid a fond farewell as the Class of 2008 was just beginning their adventure. Dean Robert Dolan and several Ross faculty members were present to show their support. At the head table, Professor and Mrs. Kim, Dean Dolan, and Associate Dean Valerie Suslow joined Class of 2007 Student Government representatives, Shunsuke Tanahashi of Mitsubishi UFJ Bank and Trust and Hea Ryoung Jee of Samsung Electronics. Throughout the dining room, students from both classes and their guests enjoyed a delicious dinner and good conversation. Professor Kim invited attending faculty to address the students as the different groups experienced mixed feelings of new beginnings and happy endings. After dinner, Dean Dolan took the stage to offer his congratulations and farewells.

In turn, Shunsuke Tanahashi offered well wishes to the Class of 2008 and said good bye to the Class of 2007. On behalf of the Class of 2007, Shunsuke presented a delightful print by William T. Wiley titled "Charmin Billy" as a gift to the school. The piece is a wonderful addition to the Ross art collection and its donation proudly continues a Global MBA tradition as the fourth piece donated to the school over the last 3 years.

ANN ARBOR, Michigan - E. Han Kim, Professor of Finance and International Business at Ross, was selected by the Global MBA Class of 2007 as the recipient of the second annual Global MBA Award for Teaching Excellence. The Teaching Excellence Award allows students to take their evaluation results one step further by openly acknowledging a core faculty member’s efforts. Dean Robert Dolan presented Professor Kim with a plaque indicating "Global MBA Award for Teaching Excellence" as a keepsake. Congratulations Professor Kim!

Professor Kim serves as the Fred M. Taylor Professor of Business Administration. He is the Director of the Ross School’s Mitsui Life Financial Research Center and the East Asia Management Development Center which administers Ross’ Global MBA Program for Asia.

YOKOHAMA, Japan - The Global MBA Class of 2008 has learned that beginning the term in Ann Arbor is quite demanding. Students are attending courses, setting up their houses, and getting used to everything new around Ann Arbor. Now add to that the birth of your second child, and you will know how Kenji Iwata has been feeling. Kenji Iwata of Itochu Corporation and his wife, Rumi, had their second child on June 20, 2007 in Yokohama, Japan. Kenji and Rumi named their baby girl Nanaka blessing her with a truly feminine name. In Japanese, Nana means gentle and considerate and Ka means flower. Nanaka is pictured here with her four-year-old brother, Ryoya, who looks very happy to have a little sister.

Congratulations to Kenji and his family!

SAN DIEGO, California - We are happy to report the birth of the Moon Sun Chung’s second child. Moon Sun and his wife, Sun Hee, welcomed a beautiful baby girl into this world in May. They named their daughter Katherine. Moon Sun and Sun Hee also have a 3 year old daughter who is easily adjusting to living with a little sister. Little Katherine surprised everyone by arriving a few weeks earlier than planned. Not only was Moon Sun busy with his home life in May, he was also hosting two of the Global MBA MAP teams. Through his company, Hyundai Translead, teams participated in projects in San Diego, California and Tijuana, Mexico focusing on strategy and operations management.