OHIO is hosting more than 400 business leaders from Brazil.

Eli Burris / University of Ohio

More than 400 business leaders from Brazil will visit Ohio University this summer for a series of classes and seminars organized by the College of Commerce.

The program is led by the Latin American Business Association (LAIOB), which organizes international educational opportunities with partners such as the University of Ohio.

LAIOB has brought business leaders to OHIO several times in previous years, but has not visited since the outbreak in February 2020.

“We are delighted to see our friends and executives return from the LAIOB program to the Athens campus,” said Dean Jackie Reis Umermer, Dean of the College of Business. “The LAIOB program provides an opportunity for Brazilian executives to learn more about our various faculties in this historic and beautiful campus. We miss our friends from Brazil and look forward to their return to Athens.

LAIOB business leaders visit Ohio University in two groups.

The first group will have 170 people and will be on campus from July 10-21. Members of this group focus on money or the market.

The second group will be on the Athens campus from July 24 to August 4. These 250 members will focus on management and project management during their stay in OHIO.

“These classes and seminars provide countless benefits to our business faculty and business partners in Brazil,” said President Huff Sherman. “The University of Ohio is proud to be hosting LAIOB participants again this summer.”

More than 40 OIO teachers and several alumni speakers will participate in the program and work with LAIOB participants.

“All professionals who come to OHIO are from the middle to the top level,” explained Ashley Metcalf, executive director and associate professor at Robert H. Freeman. “They are looking for higher education opportunities, but not necessarily a graduate degree.”

The business leaders live on campus and study at Nelson Commons, Shoover Center and Baker University. On July 13, they will participate in special events, such as the Southern Ohio Coparents’ baseball game.

“When Brazilians are on the campus of the LAIOB program, there is a special force,” Metcalf said.

For each group, members of the first Friday session will take part in an industry day focusing on Athens businesses and the challenges they face. LAIOB participants hear from Ohio State University executives, as well as from local businesses and government leaders.

“Such programs are ideal for international executives,” Metcalf said. “You can come to a traditional college campus but focus on practical education.” During their stay in OHIO, the business leaders will move out of their comfort zones to acquire new professional skills and develop their professional networks.

Ohio University faculty and staff benefit from meeting with international partners, learning about the businesses they run, and learning from their experience in Brazil.

“The LAIOB program is very rewarding for our faculty members,” Metcalf said. “It’s a wonderful international educational opportunity for all participants.”