Johnson launches Emerging Markets Fellows program

Curriculum is designed to prepare students for business opportunities and challenges in emerging economies

Johnson at Cornell University and the Emerging Markets Institute(EMI) at Johnson have announced its Emerging Markets Fellows program. Designed to help students to build expertise in emerging markets, selected fellows will be designated though a combination of course work, international practicum project and foreign studies to gain experience in emerging market cultures, business requirements and economic challenges. The new fellows program represents another example of Johnson’s longtime commitment to its immersion and performance learning

“The launch of this program coincides with a significant expansion in global academic prowess at Johnson,” said Richard Coyle, executive director of EMI. “Our goal is to become the premier business school for the study of emerging markets. This is a key element of our strategic plan.”

The fellows program is designed with specific needs of emerging market economies in mind. Students will increase their ability to navigate through significant degrees of uncertainty; be exposed to business issues created by rapid growth; and will face highly complex problems within fast changing environments. The course work, projects, and study trips are all designed to help build the necessary capabilities to succeed in these markets.

“I am very enthused to have been selected for this prestigious program,” said Johnson first-year student, Lev Perelman, MBA ’13. “I know this will greatly enhance my career prospects, as emerging markets experience is in high demand. Having grown up in Estonia and worked as a consultant in Germany prior to my studies, I recognize the critical impact which emerging markets are having on the global economy.”

Amity Weiss, MBA ’13, who completed her undergraduate degree at Princeton and worked in Africa prior to enrollment at Johnson said, “Companies are seeking MBAs who understand the complexities of doing business in these rapidly evolving environments and how to effectively lead and interact with different cultures. This program will prepare me well to encourage private sector development in Africa.”

The Emerging Markets Institute at Johnson has selected 16 candidates as the first Emerging Markets Fellows, who plan to graduate in 2013. The next cohort will be selected in the fall of 2012.