UNF's Coggin College of Business
Hosts China Conference

China’s emergence as a player in the world market and the effect of its influence was studied at this year’s joint conference, hosted by the Coggin College of Business and by Beijing International Studies University at UNF’s University Center on October 20, 2006.

This interdisciplinary, full-day conference is the second to be held since 2004. The first joint conference was held in Beijing at Beijing International Studies University and was attended by Drs. Robert Frankel, Andres Gallo, Jeff Michelman, Jeff Steagall, Earle Traynham and Bobby Waldrup from the Coggin College of Business.

"The atmosphere of an academic conference is essential to the intellectual progress of the university,” said Dr. Andres Gallo, Director, Center for International Business Studies. “We need forums like this to share and debate leading ideas related to international business."

This year’s conference was lead by Dr. Jeff Michelman, Professor of Accounting and Finance at the Coggin College, who served as program chair and co-presenter of the session “The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, Sarbanes-Oxley, and the Implications for American Business Success in China.”

“The interdisciplinary nature of the conference was enlightening,” said Dr. Michelman. “The presenters did an incredible job of covering aspects of China’s growth from both a historic and a business standpoint.”

Two of the professors from Beijing International Studies University have each taught for one semester here at Coggin College. Ms. Bai Yuan taught an economics course in the fall of 2004, and Ms. Wang Yuhong also taught economics in the fall of 2005. Their former colleagues were delighted to work again with Ms. Yuan and Ms. Yuhong. Also attending this year from Beijing International Studies University, was university Vice President Yunzhu Xiao, and Dean of the business school at BISU, Xiaomu Li.

Much of the conference focused on the challenges that China faces as a result of the country’s rapid growth. From health care for its citizens, to the logistical obstacles for trade and commerce, to the labeling of China as a “threat to international political and economic stability” by the United States, all topics were relevant and insightful.

“We learn an immense amount from each other during these conferences,” said Dr. Jeff Steagall, Associate Dean for Undergraduate and International Programs. “I hope that UNF and BISU will continue to pursue a collegial and mutually beneficial relationship.”