History
IBEC was formed in 2004 as the result of an amalgamation between the former Centre for Entrepreneurial Leadership (CEL) and the Centre for International Business Studies (CIBS).
The CEL was established in March, 1996 in partnership with BMO Bank of Montreal. Main concerns of the CEL included promotion and support of entrepreneurial activities, both within the Faculty of Business Administration and throughout the wider scope of the UNB campus.
The CIBS was born in 1988, and made possible by an endowment from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). This endowment was given with the purpose of promoting research and teaching activities within the arena of international business.
Both of the centres had proven themselves to be effective in providing management education courses and related materials. They also facilitated opportunities for applied research and community outreach services.
The assets of the CEL and CIBS came together to form IBEC, a centre focused on teaching, research, and outreach programs with the goal of producing competent, creative entrepreneurs who are prepared to work in the real business world. IBEC has a number of programs in place to teach the skills needed to run a business, and as opposed to focusing on textbook-oriented learning, the centre takes a hands-on approach.
Students involved in IBEC programs develop invaluable leadership abilities. As a result of programs such as Activator and the Export Partnering program, UNB has become a leading supplier of university-educated entrepreneurs.
