Following the successful partnership with Golden Education and 2020 launch of the Shanghai MBA program, the Charles F. Dolan School of Business has developed a new partnership with one of India’s premier business schools, ICFAI Business School (IBS). ICFAI, which stands for the Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India, was established in 1984 as a non-profit society with the goal of empowering citizens through world-class education. An agreement between Fairfield Dolan and IBS, signed last month, will facilitate academic collaborations in a number of ways.

IBS has nine campuses across India, all with MBA or similar business degree programs. According to the terms of the agreement, IBS students will have the opportunity to come to Fairfield to earn an MBA or a specialized master’s degree in addition to the degree earned from IBS. This dual degree, combined with international experience, will give IBS students a valuable perspective on leadership and management styles from both cultures, a major advantage in a competitive global marketplace.

For Dolan MBA students, the agreement opens up possibilities for short-term study abroad, giving students a chance to explore how business is conducted in India, and engage in coursework to observe Indian companies. The agreement will also establish the prospect for cross-collaborative research among Dolan and IBS faculty.

Anca Micu, PhD, Fairfield Dolan associate dean, is familiar with IBS, having collaborated with a colleague there on a research project examining branding in higher education.

“IBS aims to educate business students with a sense of social responsibility, similar to Fairfield’s philosophy,” said Dr. Micu. “IBS is well established, one of their campuses is AACSB accredited, and most faculty have a PhD. They strive to graduate well-rounded individuals. In many ways, the school is a natural partner for Dolan.”

International students make up 16.5 percent of Dolan’s graduate student body — a diverse group with myriad perspectives about how business is conducted, said Dr. Micu. “We anticipate that a number of IBS students will come to Fairfield each year, and we believe this will create a valuable educational experience for them as well as for our Dolan students.”