Troy University News

July 22, 2004

Contact:
Sandi Gouge and Tom Davis :
(334) 670-3196; tomdavis@troy.edu

Office of University Relations
253 Adams Administration
Troy, AL 36082
(334) 670-3196
(334) 670-3274 (fax)

THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND TROY UNIVERSITY OPEN JOINT HEADQUARTERS IN HEIDELBERG , GERMANY

   The grand opening of the joint Troy University and Alabama Development Office Europe Headquarters in Heidelberg, Germany, was held Thursday, July 22.
   Alabama Gov. Bob Riley, Troy University Chancellor Jack Hawkins, Jr., Heidelberg Mayor Beate Weber and ADO Director Neal Wade were among the participants in the grand-opening ceremonies.
   “This office will help us build stronger relationships with European business leaders, which is a key first step in winning major industrial projects, and it will help existing Alabama companies that want to open new markets for their products in Europe ,” Gov. Riley said. “It will improve Alabama 's ability to aggressively pursue opportunities that translate into more jobs.”
   Chancellor Hawkins said Troy University is looking forward to a productive partnership with ADO and an opportunity to expand the University’s operations into Europe .
   “ Troy University has enjoyed a rich tradition of international service for more than 30 years,” Dr. Hawkins said. “Moreover, we have taken seriously our role in aiding economic development efforts in our home state. Building on previous successful business and academic partnerships between Germany and Alabama , we look forward to a future of opportunities for German students and companies alike.”
   TROY- Heidelberg Site, one of Troy University ’s 58 campuses or teaching sites located worldwide, in conjunction with Alabama ’s economic development agency, will offer advanced learning and progressive business opportunities as part of a Germany-Alabama alliance. The TROY Heidelberg Site will feature an accredited Executive Master’s of Business Administration degree program for corporate executives where TROY professors will travel to Heidelberg to teach the courses in an intensive format.
   The site will also offer a traditional MBA program, a bachelor’s degree in Resources Management and Administrative Support for the U.S. eArmyU Program, which allows enlisted men and women to earn a baccalaureate degree online. All Troy University sites located outside Alabama are operated without state appropriations.
   Students in the Executive Master of Business Administration program, many of whom will be middle- and upper-level management executives with German companies, will have the opportunity to meet with ADO representatives to learn about the business climate in Alabama .
   Chancellor Hawkins said he believes the joint TROY-ADO effort in Germany can be expanded to other nations.
   “ Troy University already has a presence in 10 other nations and by 2008 we expect we will be in 20 countries,” Dr. Hawkins said. “This model could be used in Korea , Thailand , Taiwan , Vietnam and anywhere else we have a campus or teaching site.”
   Chancellor Hawkins added that the partnership allows the ADO to maintain a day-to-day presence in Europe without creating budgetary problems.
   “Cooperation leads to stewardship,” Dr. Hawkins said. “ Troy University welcomes the opportunity to contribute to Alabama ’s economic development efforts.”
   Mayor Weber said she welcomes the opportunities that the Alabama partnership will bring to her city.
   “It is a great day for the City of Heidelberg , the oldest German university city since 1386, to be part of the grand opening of the Heidelberg branch of this leading University offering scientific excellence in a world-wide network,” Mayor Weber said.
   “Together with the Alabama Development Office we will create new opportunities of working together, and we will develop new links between the State of Alabama and Germany .”
   The new campus is located at Vangerowstrasse 18/1, 1. OG, 69115 Heidelberg , Germany .