Dear Reader,

Welcome to the September edition of the SIMT newsletter.

As we greet the incoming fall season, we also have the pleasure to welcome the new SIMT class of 2008. In this issue we introduce our new students, as well as talk to one of SIMT's current students about her experiences and update you on the latest events and news at SIMT.

To subscribe to receive our free bimonthly newsletter direct to your email address please click here.

Best regards,

SIMT Business School

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SIMT SEPTEMBER 2006 NEWSLETTER

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Contents

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I. Recent Events

WELCOME TO THE SIMT MBA CLASS OF 2008

Over the past two weeks 46 new students from 21 countries have commenced their studies at SIMT.

Their orientation to SIMT began with Professor Dr. Karl-Friedrich Ackermann, the Managing Director of SIMT, welcoming the new students and introducing them to SIMT. In his speech, he emphasized SIMT's strong industry connections and it's close proximity to numerous companies in the Stuttgart area, described as the "high-tech motor of Germany and one of Europe's best locations for innovation and technology".

Professor Ackermann gratefully acknowledged the help and support these companies offer to SIMT, including that of the more than 25 CEOs who are members of the Supervisory Board ("Verwaltungsrat") or of the Steering Committee of Industry ("Kuratorium"). In addition Professor Ackermann spoke of how an MBA degree means a career with future and of the growing need for such highly qualified young people.

Prof. Dr. Frank C. Englmann, incoming Dean of the Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences, Universität Stuttgart, also addressed the students and reminded them that although it was important to study hard, they should not forget to have fun too!

Following this, the SIMT Student Association members Mr. Edgar Ruschke (Vice-President), Ms. Naomi Shiokawa and Mr. Henrique Modenesi gave a short presentation about the Student Association.  

Professor Dr. Karl-Friedrich Ackermann, Managing Director of SIMT, delivering his welcome speech to the new class of 2008

Prof. Dr. Frank C. Englmann, incoming Dean of the Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences, Universität Stuttgart, addresses the new students

After their introduction to SIMT, the new students took part in a week of orientation events that included trips around Stuttgart and the surrounding area, a visit to the Mercedes Benz Museum and many other social activities, culminating in the SIMT BBQ Welcome party on 13th September. In addition, they participated in an intensive week of 'Essential Management Skills' training, to start them on the right track as they make SIMT their 'home away from home' for the next 16- 20 months.

Of the new class, 16 students are studying in the Full-time program, 22 in the Part-time program and 8 in the Career-Integrated program. The class will have the chance to immerse themselves in different cultures with students coming from Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, China, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Poland, Russia, Spain, Ukraine, USA and Venezuela.

Class of 2008 students (not all are present) during the orientation week Stuttgart City Tour

SIMT BBQ Welcome Party on 13th September 2006

GERMAN - AUSTRALIAN PERSPECTIVES DISCUSSION FORUM

On 18th September 2006, SIMT hosted the forum "German-Australian Perspectives", organised by GOstralia! International Education Consultancy, the official agency for Australian universities in Germany. Central to the meeting was the co-operation of German and Australian universities and educational facilities. Contributors from both Australian and German universities, as well from the Australian Trade Commission, among others, participated.

AMCHAM GERMANY - BUSINESS AFTER HOURS EVENT

On 19th September, AmCham Germany held its latest Business After Hours event at SIMT. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Joachim Warschat, Director Management Development SIMT, and Rüdiger Bechstein, Bereichsleiter Personal, Kärcher, spoke on the topic: Was bietet eine internationale Business School für Führungskräfte?

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II. News in Brief

DAAD PRIZE AWARDED

At the SIMT welcome barbeque on 13th September, an event attended by the new 2008 class, the current 2007 class, SIMT Alumni, staff and many others, the DAAD Award for Excellent Academic Performance by an international student was presented. The winner of this year?s award was Ms. Karla Homena from the Philippines. Ms Homena is a full-time student of the SIMT Class of 2007, studying an MBA in Finance and Investment. The DAAD Award was to the value of 1000 Euro.

Ms Karla Homena (left) accepting her DAAD Award for Excellent Academic Perfromance by an International Student from Ms Charlotte Holzapfel, SIMT Registrar

SIMT IN GLOBAL STUDY MAGAZINE ARTICLE

SIMT has featured in the recent Graduate Business Education issue of Global Study Magazine, London. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dieter Fritsch, Chairman SIMT Board of Trustees and Rector of the Universität Stuttgart, gave an interview on the topic of 'Who Should Do an MBA'. To read this article on the Global Study Magazine website please click here.

COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN SIMT AND TAE

SIMT has entered a co-operation agreement with the Technische Akademie Esslingen (TAE). In the future both institutions will undertake joint efforts in promoting further education for industry. They plan the joint marketing of existing offers as well as the development of further master's courses with an international focus. The TAE has 50 years of experience in offering high quality further training programs in both the technical and non-technical fields. As a first step in the new co-operation agreement between SIMT and Technische Akademie Esslingen (TAE), on 3rd October 2006 a delegation of Indian entrepreneurs will visit SIMT for discussions with SIMT and TAE on the topic of future collaborations.

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III. SIMT Interview: A Truly International Student

Japanese heritage, Brazil born and raised and now studying in Germany: Naomi Shiokawa epitomizes the international flavour of SIMT. Currently a student of the SIMT Full-time MBA Program in Technology and Innovation Management, Ms Shiokawa has taken time out of her busy student schedule to share her story.

My name is Naomi Shiokawa, I am 27 years old and I come from Brazil. I graduated in 2001 as a civil engineer from the Universidade Federal do Parana, in Brazil, and then completed a specialized corporate finance qualification. During my studies I gained work experience in a technical support function at my family's company. I then worked for 4 and a half years in an engineering consulting company specialized in hydropower projects, in the area of process optimization through the implementation of CAD solutions.  

In 2005, I made the decision to pursue MBA studies. I chose a SIMT MBA Program as the path to furthering my career aspirations for a number of reasons: Firstly, I wanted to spend some time abroad and at the same time, gain additional knowledge to enhance my career capabilities. Secondly, studying at SIMT meant I would be in Stuttgart, which is a location known for its technological excellence as well as its proximity to the technology industry, offering excellent networking opportunities. And lastly, being at SIMT gave me the chance to learn the German language and to apply it daily.

My experience at SIMT has not only confirmed my beliefs in its high quality but also showed me some special attributes that exceeded my expectations. For example, the international background of the students is highly diversified. Additionally, our professors have international academic and professional experience, which guarantees the applicability of what is taught. Furthermore, the limited number of students per class enables full interaction between students and staff.

But it is the other unexpected aspects of studying at SIMT that have made my time so far so memorable. For me, learning the German language at SIMT parallel to our studies has been a remarkable experience. I am learning a language that I never thought I would be learning and every day I understand the language better. Not only that, but I get the chance to practice my new-found language skills daily!

Living and working with so many different cultures has been another important part of my SIMT experience. This has helped me not only to have a better understanding of how people from different origins and backgrounds behave and develop solutions, but has also made me more flexible in accepting different opinions and more efficient in group work. Another unexpected aspect of my SIMT experience is being part of the SIMT Student's Association and also helping the SIMT PR/Marketing department of the school. It has been an important responsibility to represent the students, not only in order to understand better some of the administration issues, but also to be pro-actively involved in the SIMT enhancement process.

In the future, I plan to gain some international work experience and then go back to my home country to open my own business. Whatever path I choose, I am certain that the knowledge I have obtained here at SIMT will help me to reach the high level of excellence I aim for in my professional and personal life.

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IV. Upcoming Events

SIMT MBA INFO SESSION

If you have ever thought about doing an MBA, a SIMT MBA Info Session is the ideal opportunity to hear first-hand experiences of studying at SIMT. In addition SIMT personnel will be on hand to answer any questions you have ranging from admissions, to course curriculum to post-graduate career development opportunities.  SIMT hosts an MBA Info Session monthly, with the next session on Thursday 5^th October, at 6pm. If you are interested in attending please register with Ms Vanessa Franklin on Telephone 0711/45 10 01 516 or Email franklin(at)uni-simt.de

For a list of upcoming Info Sessions please visit the SIMT website.

SYMPOSIUM OF THE SIMT BOARD OF GOVERNORS

On Monday 9th October 2006 the annual SIMT Symposium of the Board of Governors will be held in Heidenheim. The topic will be "Global competition - growth and employment in Baden-Württemberg". This event will be attended by more than 120 participants from industry and economy. For more information on this event please contact Mr Peter Greulich: Telephone 0711/45 10 01 29 or Email greulich(at)uni-simt.de or visit the SIMT website here.

SIMT HR FORUM

On Friday 20th October SIMT will host their bi-annual HR forum. The forum is an excellent opportunity for HR personnel to network and exchange knowledge. The topic covered will be 'Change processes in companies and their meaning for personnel work'.

For more information please contact Ms. Sandra Romahn: Telephone 0711/45 10 01 36 or Email romahn(at)uni-simt.de 

TAIWANESE BUSINESS FORUM

SIMT will host a forum on the German Automotive Industry attended by business executives from the Taiwanese automotive sector. The forum will include presentations by speakers from Behr GmbH & Co. KG, Robert Bosch GmbH and DaimlerChrysler AG. For more information please contact Mr Peter Greulich: Telephone 0711/45 10 01 29 or Email greulich(at)uni-simt.de 

Keep up to date with the events at SIMT on our website at http://www.uni-simt.de/events.html