Walton College to Launch Entrepreneurship Program in Panama

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(Left to right) Dan Hendrix, president and chief executive officer of the World Trade Center Arkansas; Ruben Berrocal, Panama’s national secretary of science, technology and innovation; Moez Limayem, associate dean for research and graduate programs at the University of Arkansas’ Sam M. Walton College of Business.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas, with the help of the Arkansas World Trade Center and in collaboration with a governmental agency in Panama, is launching a program to instruct Panamanian entrepreneurs in the techniques of starting a successful business.

The cooperative program with the Panamanian National Secretariat for Science, Technology and Innovation grew out of a trade mission in April by the college and the Arkansas World Trade Center. “An Executive Education Certificate in Entrepreneurial Excellence” will be offered in Panama through the Walton College. The program will present relevant, valuable material that is essential for the initiation and maintenance of entrepreneurial operations, as well as providing students with insights into the skills needed to be innovative, successful managers.

The program begins Oct. 7, with the classes in Panama City continuing once a month through April, 2012. The classes will take place over one Friday and Saturday each month.

“This program is another step in our strategic initiative to ensure that the Walton College continues to grow in its global exposure and impact,” Dean Dan L. Worrell said. “As the program trains entrepreneurs, it also allows our faculty members to have the kind of international engagement with students and businesses that would not have been possible otherwise.”

“We hope that this program leads to the formation of new companies and the creation of more jobs,” said Moez Limayem, associate dean for research and graduate programs at the Walton College. “The students who take part in this program will have a rich educational experience with world-class professors, who will provide tools to enable them to achieve their dream of starting their own companies. We believe that this program is just the beginning of a long and successful collaboration.”

Dan Hendrix, president and chief executive officer of the World Trade Center Arkansas, said of the program’s impact: “The opportunity we have to help educate and train Panamanian students and citizens to acquire the necessary entrepreneurial skills for job enhancement is extremely important, and we are honored the University of Arkansas’ Sam M. Walton College of Business and the World Trade Center Arkansas facilitated this effort.”

The Panamanian National Secretariat for Science, Technology and Innovation is an autonomous institution in Panama whose mission is to make science and technology work as tools for sustainable development. Its projects and programs are focused on scientific and technological methods to improve the economic development of the country. 

“In the society that we are currently in, innovation and entrepreneurship are a key for the development of any nation,” Ruben Berrocal, Panama’s national secretary of science, technology and innovation, said.

Program classes will be taught by professors from the Walton College. Examples of topics to be taught are:

• Introduction to Entrepreneurship
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• Value of Effective Leadership and Effective Networking for Entrepreneurs
• The Road to Success in Business for Entrepreneurs
• Marketing Products and Services
• Supply Chain and Entrepreneurship
• RFID Technologies for Small Business
• Attracting and Retaining Customers to New Businesses

Participating faculty and instructors include:

• Carol Reeves, associate vice-provost for entrepreneurship
• Larry Brian, director, Small Business and Technology Development Center
• Jeff B. Murray, professor, R.A & Vivian Young Chair in Marketing and Logistics
• Adam Arroyos, president, ALPFA Institute at Walton College
• Allan Ellstrand, professor, Charles C. Fitchner Chair in Management 
• Matthew A. Waller, professor, Garrison Endowed Chair in Supply Chain Management
• Moez Limayem, associate dean for research and graduate programs
• Justin Patton, managing director, RFID Research Center