Pitt Business: Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business & College of Business Administration

Press Release

February 11, 2004

KATZPORT Simplifies Visa Process for International MBA Graduates and U.S. Employers in Post-9/11 Global Economy

PITTSBURGH—The Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business, currently ranked 33rd in the world and 11th among public institutions by The Wall Street Journal, has launched an innovative program designed bring together elite international students and the best American companies.

The school has launched KATZPORT, a program that streamlines the visa process for MBA graduates and employers.

Nearly 40 percent of its 150 full-time MBA student population is international and Katz Dean Dr. Frederick W. Winter acknowledges that the complexity of the visa process is formidable for both students who seek employment in the U.S. upon graduation and top companies who seek the Katz School's talented graduates.

"KATZPORT is a progressive response to the needs of our students and to the business community," Winter said. "We have recognized our role in the global economy for years with our award-winning programs and international recruitment initiatives. Now we are responding again with this service. The value of the Katz MBA goes far beyond the classroom and this is proof that our students will be fully prepared to engage in the business world when they graduate," Winter added.

Heightened security concerns since 9/11 and the downturn in the economy have undoubtedly discouraged U.S. businesses from actively recruiting international students. The result is that some of the finest students are being overlooked by employers. This also is counterintuitive since American business is international in its composition. American business is world business.

To combat this situation, Winter and his management team developed KATZPORT. Partnering with the University of Pittsburgh's Office on International Services and Pittsburgh law firm Deasy & Whitehill, P.C., KATZPORT simplifies the visa process for its international MBA students. The program assists the employer and its international hire in securing an H1B visa. An H1B visa is valid for six years.

The intent of KATZPORT is to overcome the obstacles presented to employers adding to their workforces and to international students in joining the U.S. workforce. Winter believes that the geographical boundaries imposed by a person's place of birth should not be a factor in a person's career.

"The global economy doesn't pay attention to geographical boundaries, so why should an employer be limited in its choice of employees to conduct its business?" said Winter, whose top-ranked business school includes international executive business programs in Prague, Czech Republic; Manchester, England; and Sao Paulo, Brazil.

He added that the seamlessness of global business should be matched by a workforce that is equally flexible. KATZPORT will facilitate this and is a natural extension of the University of Pittsburgh's global reach.

KATZPORT has three parts:

• KATZPORT Communication—connects recruiters with current immigration law basics; helps students fully understand their own visa; and provides immigration audits and informational seminars.
• KATZPORT Evaluations—documents the immigration and builds relationships with the University of Pittsburgh Office of International Services and immigration attorneys.
• KATZPORT Legal Services—facilitates a streamlined process in which immigration professionals and employers work to secure the appropriate visa and employment authorization.

The KATZPORT program absorbs the employer's legal fees associated with securing appropriate visa and employment authorizations for international hires. It is responsive to the needs of corporate recruiters who are looking to fill key management positions with talented MBAs regardless of their country of origin and who also realize that diversity of thinking compels business nationally and globally.

KATZPORT assists students and employers in understanding the legal intricacies associated with obtaining the necessary authorizations to work in the United States. For students, KATZPORT dispels myths and educates by tracking the ongoing legislation and procedures related to the student's evolving visa and immigration process. For employers, KATZPORT provides low-hassle services and assurances to employers.

KATZPORT, which physically resembles the passport used for international traveling, details the steps of the three-part program and can be retained as a handy reference. The Katz School thinks of KATZPORT as the students' and employers' "passport" to the American workforce.

Additional details on KATZPORT may be obtained at the Katz Web site, www.katz.pitt.edu.

The University of Pittsburgh is recognized as one of the top five U.S. universities with international reach and reputation. The Katz School attracts international students from about 20 different countries.

 "KATZPORT distinguishes the Katz School from the rest of the top 50 business schools. We are the only school that is providing this service to students and recruiters," said Terri Gregos, assistant dean and director of career services at the Katz School. "We are facilitating the global workplace and preparing our students to be business leaders by assisting all parties involved in the process for obtaining a work visa."

Gregos sees the KATZPORT program serving three functions—empowering international students by conducting immigration seminars and information sessions and providing legal advising, consultations, and legal counsel; enabling employers by picking up the cost of the visa process and streamlining the interactions between Katz, the OIS, and the legal community; and ensuring success through immigration evaluations, which limit the risk of failure.

The launch in Pittsburgh, Pa., attracted many international employers who have a local presence in Pittsburgh. Companies such as Sony Corporation, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Federal Express all expressed interest in the program.

"We are thrilled to launch this program for our international students and for the business community," Gregos added.

The Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business (www.katz.pitt.edu) has been ranked consistently in the top 50 MBA programs in the United States. As one of the 13 founding members of the AACSB, Katz is home to one of the first federally funded centers for international business and research. Its techno-MBA program options and its Evening Program have both earned recognition as top-20 programs from U.S. News & World Report.

The University of Pittsburgh (www.pitt.edu) system consists of its 132-acre campus located in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh and regional campuses in Bradford, Greensburg, Johnstown, and Titusville. Established in 1787, the University of Pittsburgh is one of the first 25 universities established in the United States. The University serves more than 32,000 students through the programs of 18 undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools. It is recognized internationally as one of the leading research institutions in the world.