CI to launch Institute for Global Economic Research
Camarillo, Calif., March 23, 2011 – The Martin V. Smith School of Business & Economics at
CSU Channel Islands has announced the official launch of the Institute for Global Economic
Research (IGER) to be held Friday, April 8, on CI’s campus. The launch will feature a
presentation by Dr. Sung Won Sohn, IGER’s Director, entitled “National Economic Outlook and
Its Relationship to the Local Region.” The event, which is open to the public, begins at 12 p.m.
and includes lunch. Reservations are $25 per person.
Sohn, an endowed professor at the Martin V. Smith School of Business & Economics and
nationally renowned economist, said that the Institute will be the first of its kind within the region,
helping to link regional economy more closely to the global economy. A primary function of
IGER is to develop future workforce leadership by providing international perspectives to students
through learning opportunities based on practical experience.
Sohn will teach a course that focuses on banking as part of the new MBA program. He contends
that, “No matter what business field a person is in, knowledge of banking practices is essential.
When someone applies for a loan, he must understand what needs to be in place to secure the loan.
How is a loan evaluated?” From the standpoint of going into a banking career, Sohn explained
that an individual must, for example, know about government regulation, how much capital to set
aside and how to price loans. “My aim is to graduate students so they can enter a career and hit
the ground running. I want to make students more useful to business.”
IGER is uniquely positioned to complement existing economic forecast programs by focusing on
global and national economies with a special emphasis on the Pacific Rim region. Sohn
mentioned that many companies in the tri-county area have global and/or national outreach.
The Institute will serve as an information resource on international, national and regional
economic data and forecasts, and facilitate international contacts and research that is relevant to
current events and the interests of local companies. It will also be of great value to companies
who are contemplating national or international expansion.
The synergy created by IGER will benefit regional companies and provide them with a pool of
highly qualified graduates familiar with the needs and operations of national and international
companies and the ability to utilize and organize economic data for the benefit of their employers.
Nancy C. Gill
Director of Communication & Marketing
805-437-8456
nancy.gill@csuci.edu
About California State University Channel Islands
CSU Channel Islands (CI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its
interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service
learning. CI’s strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials,
and innovative master’s degrees. Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and
classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research.
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