The Center for Global Business and Executive Education has achieved registration to ISO 9001, the international quality standard. It is only the second university-based continuing education and training provider in the United States to receive this globally recognized certification of its quality management system.

ISO 9000 is a series of quality management system standards (of which ISO 9001 is the most comprehensive) adopted in 1987 by the International Organization for Standardization in Geneva, Switzerland. To become registered, an organization must develop an ISO-compliant quality management system and undergo a rigorous auditing process by an accredited, independent registrar.

A division of the College of Business and Public Administration, the Center for Global Business and Executive Education provides business and management training for companies and government and military organizations on a customized contract basis. It also offers open-enrollment programs that prepare participants for national certification exams in financial planning, human resource management, purchasing and other fields, as well as specialized professional courses.

In 1997-98, the center delivered 122 training programs to 1,844 participants. Directed by J.R. Bullington, a former career diplomat and U.S. Ambassador, the center has 12 staff members and generates revenue of over $1 million annually. He expects the center's ISO-9001 certification to assist with marketing efforts, especially internationally, and with other ISO-registered organizations. The center's on-call faculty consists of more than 50 professors from Old Dominion and other universities, plus full-time trainers and practicing professionals with outstanding teaching skills.