CNN.com - 'Scholar Ship' ready to set sail

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4. Instituto de Empresa, Spain
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8. Kellogg, U.S.
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10. Cass, City University, UK
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(CNN) -- With the forces of globalization changing the rules of modern business, a consortia of universities has devised an innovative way to educate executives about international issues.

The group has created a floating campus -- dubbed the Scholar Ship -- which will transport 700 students around the world as they complete their studies.

Setting off from Athens, Greece in January next year, the Scholar Ship will visit eight countries during its inaugural 16-week voyage.

Onboard course work will be augmented with shore-based study and field activities at each port of call. The ship will be operated by cruise company Royal Caribbean Cruises.

The academic curriculum has been designed so that credits earned during the floating semester can be added to any degree course already undertaken by each student. Participants are being sought from around the world to ensure there is a diverse mix in each sailing group.

The university consortia include the Al Akhawayn University of Morocco, the Beijing Foreign Studies University and Peking University of China, the Tecnologico de Monterrey University of Mexico, the University of Ghana and the Macquarie University of Australia.

Talks are also under way with interested institutions in the United Kingdom and the United States.

As well as providing a feed of students to the Scholar Ship, each university will be responsible for monitoring course standards to ensure they remain consistent with the subjects being offered at each land-based campus.

For executives, the floating school concept provides an opportunity to undertake an intensive study period that will provide them with insights and knowledge unlikely to be found in a traditional lecture theater.

"No one has done anything like this before," says Macquarie University pro-vice chancellor Professor Tony Adams.

"It's a university-level program that's studying issues of global concern, whether it's cultural matters, international relations, politics or the environment."

For post-graduate participants, the on-board course incorporates a core subject that examines intercultural communication in multinational businesses. As well as looking at the challenges faced by large global companies, the subject offers advice on how companies can successfully communicate internally to a multicultural workforce.

Other subjects include international business, which examines strategic international planning and implementation, as well as international marketing and how a political climate can affect a company's performance.

"All sorts of issues are discussed in a hothouse environment aboard the ship," Adams says. "Then, when they go to port, they'll be involved in activities which will support the subjects on the ship. It will create an international learning community and teach students the skills they need to work in a global market."

Ports of call for the Scholar Ships' first voyage will include Greece, Morocco, Argentina, South Africa, Australia, Singapore, India and Cyprus. At each stop students can expect a mixture of presentations from local academics and the opportunity to explore the local area.

Onboard, the curriculum will also incorporate so-called "experiential learning sessions." Supervised by academic staff, students will be given field research tasks and encouraged to debate the results in groups. Such peer review and feedback is recognized as an important part of the onboard study process.

Study programs will be available in areas such as international business, sustainable development, international relations and conflict studies. Students will attend lectures and complete assessments, which will be enriched by on-shore excursions and field work. All lectures will be in English.

Course organizers also believe that living in a constrained area aboard a ship will help students foster professionals relationships that will help them throughout their careers.

The cost of each 16-week semester aboard the boat is $19,950. This includes all tuition and living expenses.

'Scholar Ship' ready to set sail

Floating classroom aims to educate on international issues

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