The SIEC-ISBE 2021 Conference is nearly here! Please register to attend virtually or in person and begin expanding your global, professional network. Click here for the agenda. 

Keynote Speaker at the 92nd SIEC International Conference

We are proud to announce this year´s keynote speaker:
Helmy Abouleish, the Chief Executive Officer of SEKEM Holding. His life is committed to sustainability and social entrepreneurship (www.sekem.com).

Helmy Abouleish, born 1961 in Graz, Austria, is CEO of the SEKEM Initiative in Egypt, founded by his father Ibrahim Abouleish in 1977. SEKEM promotes sustainable development in ecology, economy, societal and cultural life. The SEKEM Holding produces, processes and markets organic and biodynamic foodstuff, textiles and herbal medicine in Egypt, Arabia and internationally. They also operate educational facilities. SEKEM is regarded as the Egyptian pioneer in Organic farming, and was awarded the Right Livelihood Award (‘Alternative Nobel Prize’) in 2003 under the stewardship of Helmy Abouleish.

Helmy Abouleish is deeply involved in SEKEM since it was founded. He studied economics and marketing in Cairo and for a long time he was campaigning in national and international politics to promote responsible competitiveness, social entrepreneurship and tackling the greatest challenges of the 21st century, such as climate change and food security. He is member of a number of international organizations and councils, such as Fair Trade USA. In 2017 he was elected as member of the World Future Council and became NAP-Champion for adapting to climate change. In June 2018 he was elected as president of Demeter International.

Helmy Abouleish represents SEKEM on various national and international events and conferences and is a popular speaker in regard to topics associated with sustainable development.

Register now for the 2021 SIEC-ISBE conference, available virtually and in-person. 

Read the June 2021 newsletter! Hope to see you virtually for the SIEC-ISBE conference! 

Please encourage registration for our 2021 virtual conference on August 2-4. The current registration fee is only $50 for delegates and $35 for full-time students; after June 30, fees double. An in-person option is still available with an additional $50 fee to cover the cost of the meeting room. Tours and other activities may be arranged August 5-6 for those who are able to travel to Trieste, Italy.  
Registration is available on the www.siec-isbe.org website with credit card payment through PayPal. International President Evelyn Meyer has arranged for wire transfers within the SEPA area through the Austrian chapter’s bank account (no transaction fees within the EU). No matter the method of payment, all registrants should complete the online registration form so that email contacts can be compiled for Zoom meeting invitations.
The virtual conference will begin on Monday, August 2, with an opening session and panel discussion on the incorporation of sustainability in the business classroom and curriculum. Tuesday, August 3, and Wednesday, August 4, will feature pedagogical sessions.

This year’s Board meeting for chapter presidents will take place virtually on Monday, August 2, at 18:30 Italy time. The Assembly of Delegates will meet on Wednesday, August 4 at 19:00 Italy time. The SIEC Executive Committee has determined that members attending ONLY the Board and/or Assembly of Delegates meetings do not need to register for the conference. All registered conference delegates will be invited to the Assembly of Delegates meeting. Please forward names and email addresses of members from your chapter who do not plan to attend the conference and will need an invitation to this meeting. 
Wire transfer information for EU registration payments:
Name of bank:                                Bank Austria
Account holder:                             Österr. Ges. f. d. kaufm. Bildungswesen
Address of account holder:         Welthandelsplatz 1, A-1020 Wien 
IBAN:                                                 AT87 1200 0504 0005 7305
BIC:                                                    BKAUATWW
Payment reference:                      SIEC-Conference Trieste 2021​

The 2021 edition of the Journal for Global Business Education is now available online. Prior volumes of the JGBE are also available online. Scholarly publications is another benefit of SIEC-USA. 

Registration for the 2021 conference in Trieste, Italy, August 2-6, is now available via PayPal on our website, www.siec-isbe.org. Registration for the virtual conference is only $50 (plus processing fee) for delegates and $30 for students. After June 30, these fees will double. 

All sessions and meetings will be offered virtually on Italian time. The opening session will be on Monday afternoon, August 2; PDC sessions will be offered on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 3-4. The Board meeting will be held on Monday evening, and the Assembly of Delegates meeting on Wednesday evening. The email contact entered on the conference registration form will be used to forward Zoom meeting invitations for these events.

​For those willing and able to travel to Italy, a meeting room at the NH Hotel has been reserved with an additional minimum registration charge. Tours and group events may be arranged for Thursday and Friday, August 5-6, if there is interest. Accommodation at the NH Hotel is only EUR 90 for a single room and EUR 100 for a double room, including a buffet breakfast. These rates are available through June 30. A link for making hotel reservations is posted on the SIEC-ISBE website, along with additional conference information.
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The 2022 conference will be held in Vienna, Austria, October 18-23.

Join us April 6 at 3 pm CDT for our quarterly general membership meeting. Click here for the zoom link. 

Our guest speaker is Dr. Bettina Fuhrmann, Director of the Institute for Business Education, Vienna University of Economics and Business, Vienna, Austria. Her topic is "Financial literacy gaps among the young." 

The many benefits of SIEC-USA membership include the opportunity to build a global network of business education professionals. SIEC-USA is part of SIEC-ISBE, the premier global professional association for business educators. We invite you to attend this virtual meeting and begin expanding your global network now. 

Please join us for our first general membership meeting scheduled for Jan 14 at 4 pm CST via Zoom.
​ 
General Membership Meeting Information: 
https://illinoisstate.zoom.us/j/98215673883?from=addon
Meeting ID: 982 1567 3883

Dr. Mary Millikin, Rogers State University

As the spring 2021 semester begins with the COVID-19 pandemic persisting, faculty are focusing on providing a better student experience despite lingering challenges to the practice of teaching. Zoom technology has become a standard tool for many, whether used to deliver instruction or meet with colleagues and stakeholders. Numerous videos and newsletters have been created to offer instructions and helpful hints for effective use of Zoom in the classroom. Of particular note is Zoom’s April 2020 newsletter Tips & Tricks: Teachers Educating on Zoom which outlines guidelines for starting a class and delivering virtual lessons.  

Regardless of type of Zoom class, a number of simple, clear policies and practices can minimize logistical confusion and energize the process including:

1. Early notification of Zoom URL: All students should be notified of the Zoom URL well in advance of Day 1 of the semester (e.g., via email, syllabus, and in the learning management system supplemental course environment). A friendly email from the professor to all enrolled students prior to Day 1 can also alleviate some of the angst that students may feel about taking a Zoom class.
2. Camera policy: Some Zooming students don’t turn on their web camera or own a camera, making it difficult for faculty to know which students are attending, paying attention, or remaining seated at their computers during class time. This makes assigning participation points difficult. Classroom management policies are the prerogative of the instructor and should be clearly written in the syllabus, including the activation of cameras whether on computer, laptop, notebook, or smart phone.
3. Recognizing students: Welcoming each student into the Zoom classroom (or colleague in a meeting) engenders a welcoming environment and encourages students to actively participate.  Calling on students during class time may also aid in bridging the digital space.
4. Breakout Rooms: Splitting a class into discussion groups can effectively allow for virtual group activities and learning experiences. However, remember that rooms cannot be added once the meeting is in session. So, faculty must plan ahead and set up the rooms prior to class time. 
5. Synchronicity of Zoom class times:  Unlike online classes, Zoom classes are scheduled for specific days and times (i.e., synchronous).  Although it may be tempting to reschedule Zoom class times as the semester progresses, it is essential that these times remain static to avoid interfering with students’ class and work schedules.
6. ​Use of humor: A little good humor goes a long way. From virtual classroom memes to interesting virtual backgrounds (which vary from class to class), a Zoom class can be invigorated with color and humor. 

​Perhaps the most important caveat is to remember why we chose the teaching profession. Faculty influence students on a daily basis.  Whether virtual or face-to-face, through sharing knowledge and passion we shape the lives of the next generation and beyond. 

Canvas. (2020). Funny Zoom backgrounds that will have you laughing. Retrieved from https://www.canva.com/learn/funny-zoom-backgrounds/

Rogers State University Office for Accountability and Academics. (2020). Fall 2020 Survey of Zoom Class Constituent Feedback. Rogers State University: Unpublished raw data.  

Stone, E. (2020, August 19). How to overcome classroom Zoom fatigue. Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved from https://www.insidehighered.com/advice/2020/08/19/advice-how-make-zoom-classes-energizing-and-community-building-opinion
​
Workman, C. (2020). Classroom memes. Retrieved from https://www.pinterest.com/ccworkman/classroom-memes/

Zoom. (2020, April). Tips & Tricks: Teachers Educating on Zoom. Retrieved from https://zoom.us/docs/doc/Tips%20and%20Tricks%20for%20Teachers%20Educating%20on%20Zoom.pdf