Siena College program hosts students and professor from Uzhhorod University

LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. - Siena College is giving three Ukrainian university students and their professor first-hand experience in American business and free enterprise to encourage them to bring that knowledge back to their native land.

The students attend the International Business Studies Institute at Uzhhorod State University on the Ukraine-Slovakia border. The institute is a three-year project, established by Siena last spring, that brings Western business theories and practices to the Transcarpathian region.

After taking classes in Western management and entrepreneurship, global strategic planning and market economics from Siena professors in Uzhhorod, the Ukrainian students have come to New York State's Capital Region to see these ideas at work in local businesses.

The Ukrainians will visit Albany International, Newkirk Products, The Desmond, Cytopath Albany Labs, Saratoga Beverage Group and Clifton Park Dodge World while in the Capital Region.

"We tried to match the students up with companies that would have a similar profile to companies that could be developed by them in Ukraine," said Patricia Sanders, dean of Siena's business division and one of the professors who has taught at the Ukrainian Institute.

Prof. Sanders said she hopes the students learn enough about American businesses to go back to Ukraine and start their own companies.

For example, at least two of the companies the students will visit are directly relevant to potential business ventures in Ukraine. A visit to see how The Desmond hotel is run is beneficial because the Transcarpathian region of the Ukraine, where Uzhhorod is located, has a very active tourism industry. The Ukrainians will learn techniques they can use to market Uzhhorod's spring water during a tour of the Saratoga Springs water bottling plant.

During their stay at Siena, the Ukrainians will also participate in business classes and meet with faculty and students to share their impressions of their host and native countries.

The students will also visit Albany, New York City and Washington.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, April 28, 1996, No. 17, Vol. LXIV

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