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PORTLAND STATE'S SCHOOL of Business Administration beat out other U.S. universities to offer its MBA+ program online at Peking University starting next spring. The program, which emphasizes leadership and innovation, will answer China's growing need for middle managers trained in business leadership.

Chinese managers will access the Master of Business Administration program on the Internet, most likely at their jobs, beginning in March. After a year of online studies in China, the first class will come to Portland for its second and final year. Each student will be paired with a PSU graduate student, who will act as a cultural mentor for the first term, says Sully Taylor, associate dean in the PSU School of Business. The school will also establish job-shadowing opportunities for the Chinese students, who will study in English.

With success in China, the Business School may replicate the program in other countries. "Saudi Arabia is interested," says Taylor.

In recent years, PSU has taken on other joint ventures with China, including an undergraduate engineering program in Shanghai and training for Chinese officials on sustainable land-use management. A Confucius Institute was recently established on campus to promote Chinese language and culture. The University also offers study-abroad opportunities in China.