Fostering Global Education

Bauer College Partners with the Asian Institute of Management for First-of-Its-Kind Transnational Program

Published on April 12, 2023

The C. T. Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston is collaborating with the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) for a double-degree program, a first-of-its-kind transnational undergraduate program in the Philippines.

Upon signing an historic Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), the double-degree program combines the strengths of two leading business schools to create cutting-edge curriculum that will develop the next generation of leaders. Enrolled students will receive a Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Business Administration (BSDSBA) from AIM and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management Information Systems (BBAMIS) from Bauer College.

“By expanding the global footprint of Bauer College, we can provide leading-edge curricula to even more students across the world while giving our students and faculty in Houston the opportunity to learn about other cultures through this collaboration with a prestigious international research institution,” Bauer College Dean Paul A. Pavlou said.

Founded in 1968, AIM is the first school in Southeast Asia to receive accreditation from the U.S.-based Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The institution offers an immersive, result-driven education while empowering students to succeed in challenging environments.

“The rise of data science as a vital cog for improving productivity and data-driven decision-making made it imperative for AIM to develop graduates who will also start building excellent business acumen early in their careers,” AIM President and Dean Jikyeong Kang said. “Through our partnership, we are confident of producing future leaders that will help provide technology-driven solutions to business and societal problems as well as contribute to nation-building.”

The partnership is the product of Bauer’s Office of Global Initiatives, which works to provide a world-class business education while fostering diverse mindsets that transform lives, organizations, and society.

“We have a diverse group of students, but AIM students are among the best in the Philippines,” Office of Global Initiatives Director and Instructional Assistant Professor, Nikhil Celly said. “They will help contribute to increasing our international student profile and help Bauer students learn more about Asia while developing a global mindset.”

During the first three years of the program, students will learn about data science as it relates to business on the AIM campus. Seniors will then have the opportunity to study at UH in person or complete their degrees online. Those who attend Bauer in-residence will receive a valid visa for 12 months and the opportunity for Optional Practical Training (OPT) in the United States after program completion.

The OPT allows students to relate skills learned throughout the curriculum, while also bringing unique experiences and perspectives. Similar to Bauer’s many global initiatives, organizers hope this program will create jobs, contribute high-tech solutions for companies, and foster future investments between the U.S. and Asia.

“Bauer students have the option of completing several AIM courses, or a semester exchange program which earns credit towards their degree in the U.S.,” Celly said. “Houstonians of Filipino background and others may find these opportunities exciting as AIM is a regional leader in Data Science.”

Partnering with AIM continues Bauer’s commitment to providing students with access to various opportunities while increasing the school’s global footprint. To date, the Office of Global Initiatives has helped create relationships in two dozen countries across Europe, Central and South America, and the Asian-Pacific.

Enrollment for the inaugural dual-degree class has closed with leaders expecting to welcome 40 students.