Page 6 - 2020 Virtual International Symposium

The Student Multidisciplinary Applied

Research Teams (SMART) Program

Overview

The Student Multidisciplinary Applied Research Teams (SMART) Program is a unique service-
learning initiative of the Emerging Markets Program housed in the Dyson School of Applied
Economics and Management. SMART brings together teams of both graduate and
undergraduate students, faculty, and staff from across the university and pairs them with small
companies, organizations, and community groups located in developing countries and emerging
economies.

SMART teams work to address a specific need identified by their international partner.
Students work on well-defined assignments, challenging them to apply classroom knowledge
and skills in real-world international development settings. Students contribute technical
assistance and analytical support, present their research and analyses, and then return to Cornell
to develop publishable case studies and other materials to enrich learning in university
classrooms and executive education programs.

History of SMART
Since 2002, over 100 teams, composed of approximately 440 Cornell undergraduate and
graduate students, have engaged with community, government, and business partners in about
30 different countries across Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Participating students have
represented more than 20 degree programs housed in eight colleges at Cornell.

SMART Project Locations, 2002-2020