The Ozmen Center for Entrepreneurship recently partnered with the Nevada Small Business Development Center (SBDC), establishing the International Trade Program at the University of Nevada, Reno in the College of Business. The program will provide opportunities to an array of undergraduate and graduate students at the University, who wish to learn more about the export industry and get involved in research and network opportunities in the community, as well as assist Nevada businesses with international trade opportunities.

“To better match businesses with international trade opportunities, we’ve been wanting to develop a database of exporters,” Winnie Dowling, director of the SBDC, said. “Anytime we can bring in students to work with the businesses to learn more about international trade or the different industries is a positive experience for them.”

One main initiative of the program is the development of an export database. Faculty working within the program plan to survey Nevada businesses to better understand what would attract local companies in the state to export their goods and services. The data collected in the survey is meant to target potential partnerships for global exportation.

The opportunities offered by the International Trade Program will be open to all University students, but they will be especially valuable for students wanting to work in international business and learn how to find business opportunities.

“One purpose is to provide an avenue for students to get involved in some research under this program,” Mehmet Tosun, director of the Ozmen Center for Entrepreneurship, said. “In my opinion, students, particularly those majoring in international business, should be engaged in international activities, but unfortunately not all students have the means to participate in international travel, so this could be a great way to bring in those majors.”

While work related to global exportation is not new in Nevada with other government agencies conducting trade missions and research, the International Trade Program is the first of its kind at the University. According to Tosun, the goal of the program is to eventually become a hub for research and collaboration for government agencies and local businesses around the state of Nevada.

Besides offering training to students, the new program also bridges connections between Nevada businesses and other countries.

“Our program not only focuses on education, but we also open Nevada businesses to the outside world,” Tosun said. “We are currently planning a business and education mission to Czechia, Poland and Turkey in September.”

This mission will include individuals and businesses from both Northern Nevada and Las Vegas area.

“By bringing in revenue from outside our state, businesses may see an increase in revenue and sales through exportation,” Dowling said. “It’s valuable to the United States, as well as the state of Nevada.”

For current undergraduate and graduate students attending the University, who are interested in student research and want to get involved with the International Trade Program, please contact the Ozmen Center for Entrepreneurship or the SBDC.