SIFC to co-launch Aboriginal MBA program

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After two years of planning, the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College

and the University of Saskatchewan's College of Commerce will next year launch a master of business administration degree program tailored to the Aboriginal community.

The two-year program is scheduled to begin in the fall of 1996 with 20 to 25 students, said Georges Sioui, dean of academics at SIFC.

Exposing students to Aboriginal cultures will be this program's difference from other MBA programs, said Sioui. Unlike MBA programs taught at universities, this program will have a strong social and

cultural component in its curriculum.

The difference "comes from exposure students will get from Native studies courses which will be part of the curriculum," he said.

"They will be taught Native values when doing business. For example, there's more of a long-term approach, as opposed to the short-term approach to business that is usually taken.

"There's also a strong dimension of collective benefit -- whether the community can share in the benefits," he added.

A strong ecological component will also be part of the program. "this is to reflect the traditional respect for the earth, which is very common in Aboriginal cultures," he added.

As Aboriginal people play a larger economic role in Canadian society, the program will help students to prepare for that role, Sioui said. "This program is sorely needed by Aboriginal peoples in particular, and

by Canadians in general. They know this society will have to

participate with First Nations people in business and political areas." The program will have no problem attracting students, he said. "We know we've had great interest from prospective students, and some applications already."

There will also be strong corporate interest, from financially sponsoring the program to hiring interns and graduates.

"For the first years, students will be picked up for jobs very readily." Most of the program's first graduates will get work in the public sector, in band or tribal councils, or will become entrepreneurs, he added.

The MBA program, announced last month, is the result of two years of planning. Most of the work was done and coordinated by Paul Dudgeon, who currently teaches under-graduate administration at SIFC's Regina campus.

"Dr. Dudgeon deserves a lot of credit," said Sioui. He's ben an expert at lobbying and planning."

The program is currently seeking corporate sponsorship. The Bank of Montreal donated $50,000 to help launch the program, and will assist in curriculum development and internships.

"Other banks are trying to work with us," he added. "It's easy enough

to enlist support for the program -- the University of Saskatchewan was and is very eager to work with us."

Classes will be shared between Saskatoon's SIFC campus and the College of Commerce.