Columbus, Ohio - Franklin University is proud to announce it will offer its MBA program to students in Macedonia beginning fall 2009 under an agreement with a Macedonian institution, the University St. Kliment Ohridski-Bitola (UKLO).  The Franklin MBA will be the first American MBA offered in the country.

Under this agreement, the Franklin MBA program will be made available to Macedonian students through classes held on UKLO's campus in Bitola, located in the southwestern region of Macedonia.  Classes will be taught in English by a combination of Columbus-based Franklin faculty members traveling to Macedonia and European faculty members from UKLO and other institutions.

In a recent visit to Macedonia, Franklin President Dr. David R. Decker met with UKLO Rector Dr. Zlatko Zoglev to participate in a formal signing ceremony, held in conjunction with the university's celebration of its patron saint St. Kliment Ohridski.  (Photos of the signing ceremony are available upon request).

This announcement signifies Franklin's second international program offering. However, unlike Franklin's collaboration with the Wroclaw School of Banking (WSB) in Poland, the University was approached by Macedonia's Minister of Information Society, Ivo Ivanovski. Franklin is particularly proud of this request since Minister Ivanovski is also a graduate of Franklin's Master of Science in Computer Science program. His esteemed appointment, as well as his aspiration to provide Macedonians with the same educational opportunities he experienced at Franklin, exemplifies the value of a Franklin degree.

Klaus Haberich, Franklin's Senior Vice President for Planning and Global Programs, emphasized the benefits which foreign collaboration will bring to Franklin, as well as the role Franklin's presence plays in assisting U.S.-based entities abroad.  "Considerable opportunities exist for Franklin outside of the United States, in Macedonia and elsewhere, and these opportunities will contribute to maintaining the strong growth Franklin has experienced in recent years," Haberich said. "American companies doing business abroad require well-trained, business-focused personnel to assist in their international expansion efforts.  By providing Franklin's MBA to students in Macedonia, these U.S. companies have greater opportunity for successful international growth strategies of their own."

The University St. Kliment Ohridski in Bitola (UKLO) is the second state university in the Republic of Macedonia and the most highly esteemed institution in the area of higher education in the southwestern region of Macedonia. The university offers more than 40 undergraduate study programs and more than 30 postgraduate study programs. UKLO also consists of three scientific institutes, including the unique Tobacco Institute. The university attracts approximately 3,000 new students annually and serves more than 13,000 students each year. Further information regarding UKLO can be found at www.uklo.edu.mk.

About Franklin University

Founded in 1902, Franklin University is central Ohio's leading and most experienced educator of adult students. Annually, more than 10,000 students attend Franklin, both on campus and online. Franklin offers 19 undergraduate majors and three graduate programs, and graduates more than 1,500 students annually. Further information regarding Franklin University can be found at www.franklin.edu.