Business School Gets Civilized

Sid Meir's perennial strategy game, Civilization, recently named by TIME magazine as "the greatest computer strategy game of all time", will play a central role in the dedication of Brandeis University's International Business School's Asper Center for Global Entrepreneurship. The "Get Civilized" Event, scheduled for April 7 and 8, will include a symposium and international tournament featuring Civilization. "Shared economic prosperity is the best way to ensure peace and progress around the world," said Peter Petri, Dean and Carl J. Shapiro Professor of International Finance at the Brandeis University International Business School. "Business leaders must understand the interdependencies of global economies as advances in technology, trade and transportation rapidly change the way we live. Common experiences, whether in business, education, or games, provide a critical foundation for communication and collaboration across cultures and borders." Civilization creator, Sid Meier, and executives of Firaxis Games, Jeff Briggs and Jonathan Plutzik, will receive the Asper Entrepreneurship Award as part of the event for their groundbreaking representation of global economies through the classic PC game. "Civilization is a global game with a global message, with fans numbering more than 7 million strong, worldwide," said Firaxis founder, Jeffery Briggs. "With CIV, gamers from all walks of life can use their own perspectives and viewpoints to re-frame and replay history. Their goal, like that of a great entrepreneur, is to create a world power that will stand the test of time. Firaxis is proud to participate in the dedication of the Asper Center at Brandeis, to receive such a prestigious award, and to share a commitment to global entrepreneurship and innovation," Briggs added.