Utah Valley Community College is looking at the possibility of teaching business classes in the Soviet Union.

During the summer, the UVCC School of Business hosted seminars on a market economy for three groups of Soviet businessmen. UVCC President Kerry Romesburg said representatives of the groups have now asked the college to consider holding the business workshops in their homeland."It's very, very much exploratory at this stage," Romesburg said.

But not wanting to downplay the possibility too much, the president said, "I suspect we will be doing something."

Ian Wilson, dean of the business school, will visit the Soviet Union in the near future to continue discussions with Soviet business leaders.

The Soviet Union is at a political and economic crossroads. Soviet leaders are debating a plan to reorganize the structure of the country.

Romesburg said the current state of affairs presents some "exciting opportunities" for the college.

"We really believe that we can give them some assistance that will prove of real value," he said. "They need a great deal of basic business skills." Courses could range from the fundamentals of capitalism to business management.

While in Utah, the Soviet visitors toured local stores, attended lectures and met with some of the state's prominent business leaders such as WordPerfect's Alan Ashton and Utah Jazz owner and auto dealership magnate Larry Miller.

Contrary to recent media reports, there won't be a mini UVCC in the Soviet Union.

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"We're not talking about a branch campus," Romesburg said. That implies the college would offer a full range of academic courses. Under the arrangement UVCC is considering, the instruction offered Soviets would be limited to business classes.

In addition to forging a relationship with the Soviet Union, the community college also worked out a sister school agreement with two universities in China this past July. UVCC will exchange administrators, faculty and possibly students with Beijing Union University and Shaamin University.

A group of Chinese education officials will visit the Orem school next spring.

"We are very much an international college," Romesburg said.

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