Cal State San Bernardino will be hosting 21 international students as part of the Global Summer Entrepreneurship Summit from July 7-20. This intensive two-week entrepreneurship program, made possible through the generous support of Jim and Judy Watson and Chris Watson, will be led by faculty from the School of Entrepreneurship at CSUSB’s Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration (JHBC).

The participants include 17 students from Ukraine and four students from South Korea. The Ukrainian students hail from Lviv Polytechnic National University, Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, and Ukrainian Catholic University, while the South Korean students are from Seoul Cyber University. Additionally, two faculty members from the Ukrainian institutions will accompany their students.

Entrepreneurship professors Peiya Jia, Anna Long, Rama Krishna Reddy, and Mike Stull, director of the School of Entrepreneurship, will lead sessions on critical entrepreneurial topics, which will include "Genesis of the Entrepreneurial Venture," "Commercializing Innovation," and "The Entrepreneurial Process and Startup Models." The curriculum is designed to provide a robust understanding of entrepreneurship while fostering creativity and innovation.

“The School of Entrepreneurship at [JHBC] is a global leader in entrepreneurship education and practice,” said Tomás Gomez-Arias, dean of JHBC, referring to the Princeton Review’s ranking of the School of Entrepreneurship as No. 38 in the world. “With this Global Summer Entrepreneurship Summit, we help build capacity for innovation and economic development in areas of high need and impact.”

Beyond academic learning, the summit offers cultural enrichment and sightseeing opportunities in Southern California. This blend of education and cultural experiences aims to inspire students and broaden their global perspectives.

"Welcoming Ukrainian and South Korean students to Cal State San Bernardino for a two-week intensive study in entrepreneurship is a tremendous opportunity for both our guests and our campus community,” said CSUSB President Tomás D. Morales. “I firmly believe that international studies provide an incredible benefit to all students, fostering cross-cultural understanding and innovation. We look forward to hosting these bright minds and are excited to witness the mutual growth and learning that will undoubtedly occur during their time here."

John Binkley, dean of CSUSB’s College of Extended and Global Education (CEGE), echoed these sentiments, noting, “[CEGE] is always looking for new opportunities to engage with our international partners. Many of their students cannot study abroad for the traditional exchange semester. Short-term summer programs like this collaboration with Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration expand access for cultural exchanges and engagement with our CSUSB community.”

This two-week initiative arises from partnerships CSUSB has formed with South Korea’s Seoul Cyber University and Ukraine’s Lviv Polytechnic National University, one of Eastern Europe’s largest technical universities. These collaborations facilitate joint activities and seminars for students and faculty from the associated institutions, with an emphasis on research, entrepreneurship and innovative technology. These efforts aim to enhance international understanding and strengthen the bonds of friendship between CSUSB and the two partner universities.

“Collaboration with California State University, San Bernardino is essential for Lviv Polytechnic University students and faculty,” said Nazar Podolchak, professor and director of Science Park, Lviv Polytechnic University. “Participation in an international educational program will open up new opportunities for students to develop the entrepreneurial skills necessary to create the Ukrainian economy and further cooperation between universities in different fields.”

The Global Summer Entrepreneurship Summit promises to be a transformative experience, fostering international collaboration and equipping students with the skills and knowledge to become future leaders in entrepreneurship.

Robert J. Nava, vice president of University Advancement, expressed his appreciation to James and Judy Watson and Chris Watson for their generous support in sponsoring this summer program for the international students, along with the CSUSB Philanthropic Foundation.  This summer program would not have been possible without the Watson family support.