Lincoln (Neb.) - Nov. 10, 1999 - Bruce Kroese, an Agribusiness MBA student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, is accompanying Gov. Mike Johanns and State Agriculture Director Merlyn Carlson on a Trade Mission to Hong Kong and China Nov. 10 to 21.
Kroese is part of a Nebraska delegation including leaders of commodity boards and associations, agribusiness representatives, manufacturers, state officials, and past trade mission participants.
"It's a tremendous opportunity," Kroese said. "It's very humbling for a farm kid from Nebraska to have this kind of access. In repayment for this opportunity I'm going to be a sponge and bring back any insight I gain to help Nebraska agribusiness."
Kroese, raised near Firth, has had first-hand experience with international agribusiness through involvement in the family's purebred cattle company. He earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1993, and after five years in journalism and advertising, returned to NU in 1998 to pursue the Agribusiness MBA. Kroese, who will graduate in December, maintains a 3.8 grade point average while serving as a graduate student assistant for the Agribusiness MBA program.
Kroese says he looks forward to the opportunity to experience the Chinese culture and meet with foreign leaders. He is particularly interested in the challenges Nebraska agribusiness faces when developing trade relationships with the Chinese, as well as the marketing strategies they intend to employ.
In preparation for the trip, Kroese compiled an analysis of China highlighting social, political, geographic, and business factors that might affect trade. The analysis was part of his course work and was distributed to trade mission participants.
Overseas, he will document events and meetings associated with this mission for the Department of Agriculture.
NU's Agribusiness MBA Program was awarded a grant by Nebraska Network 21 to cover trip expenses for an outstanding Agribusiness MBA student with a career interest in international trade.
"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, stuff like this just
doesn't happen to me," Kroese said.
Back to menu
For questions regarding these releases, contact:
tsimons@unlinfo.unl.ed
u
(402) 472-8514, Fax: (402) 472-7825