Professional Programs

Mansfield Annual Training Program

The Mansfield International Training Program, housed within the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center at The University of Montana, was created in 2004 to provide cutting edge training in a range of fields related to economic, business, and government development. While it draws from top academic programs at the University, the Center's focus is on preparing trainees for "real world" success. Toward this end, virtually all of our experts have broad practical experience and are drawn directly from their relevant professions. In addition, all of the Center's programs combine classroom briefings with site visits that link training to concrete realities and allow trainees to talk directly with business and government managers. While the MITC currently specializes in training for Chinese government and business leaders, it has the capacity and interest in training constituencies from throughout Asia.

The new training program represents the merger of areas of strength at the University of Montana, including the Mansfield Center's own expertise www.umt.edu/mansfield the School of Business Administration and its Small Business Institute, the Law School, the Department of Political Science and UM's Masters in Public Administration Program. A special relationship with the Maureen & Mike Mansfield Foundation in Washington, D.C. allows us to offer an urban-based training component that includes access to top government experts. The Mansfield Center is a distinguished East Asian Center that is now directed by Dr. Terry M. Weidner, who also heads the training operation. An expert on contemporary China, Weidner developed a thriving training program for Chinese and Korean leaders before coming to Montana and brings links to those regions. These include a special relationship with the All-China Youth Federation, which acts as our chief training representative in China and with which the Mansfield Center jointly runs a training and exchange center in Beijing. The Beijing facility allows us to offer not just U.S.-based training, but training programs that are offered partly or entirely in China, an option that can eliminate visa problems and help reduce costs.

Cross-Cultural Experience. MITC training focuses on business, government, and other professional areas that are global in nature and thus transcend national boundaries. However, the fact that the training program's personnel include several native Chinese and China experts allows us to anticipate trainees' needs and to communicate and act in ways that minimize cultural barriers and misunderstandings. The result is a focus on respectful, honest negotiations; training programs that respond to clients' needs; the creation of a training and living environment that is comfortable for trainees, and a commitment to developing long-term, trusting relationships that extend beyond training.

Training Areas. We can tailor training programs in a broad range of fields and for time periods ranging from ten days to a year or more. This includes specialized programs for individuals who seek to include academic class attendance, research and/or work in the community as visiting scholars. Although we are happy to include English language instruction in any program, much of our training is offered through interpreters in Chinese. Particular areas of strength include: global business, management, leadership skills, entrepreneurship, cross-cultural communications, media and media management, human resources, education and educational administration, and American systems. Unless stipulated to the contrary, every training program includes lectures, site visits and informal conversations aimed at equipping trainees to understand and work more effectively globally and with Americans in particular. This includes providing a sometimes critical look at U.S. systems, customs, people, policies and beliefs.

Experience. Recent training includes a program for Chinese educators done jointly with the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations (educational administration and finance, June 2005); and two programs on management and business administration for the All-China Youth Federation (Oct. 2005 and Oct.-Dec. 2005). We have four additional programs scheduled with the Youth Federation in the coming year and two more (on human resource outsourcing and entrepreneurial aspects of the medical equipment business) planned with the Shanghai City government.

Location. Our American training center is located in Missoula, Montana, a small (population 70,000) but thriving community in America's northwest. Missoula offers trainees a safe and comfortable locale, a sophisticated and welcoming population, the natural beauty of the majestic Rocky Mountains, and easy access to large urban centers (such as Portland, Seattle, and Spokane) in nearby states. Outdoor recreation, farmers' markets, riverbank festivals and frequent cultural events all help to make Missoula a desirable location. The city is regularly ranked among the "most livable cities" by American publications and is also known as a vibrant business center. In its March 2004 issue, for example Inc. Magazine ranked Missoula #2 out of 25 desirable small cities, praising its financial and professional business services.

Inquiries. We welcome training inquiries and are happy to provide fast, confidential responses, including sample outlines of training programs, and clear cost estimates for your consideration. We welcome inquiries in Chinese language. Please contact: