The GW School of Business received a four-year, $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to continue operating its Center for International Business Education and Research, the University announced last week.

The four-year grant will allow the School of Business to continue operating the Center through 2014. The Center promotes innovation in international business and serves as a regional leader in business language teaching.

The Center was launched in 2006 as part of the national CIBER program, which includes 33 centers around the country. The national program links U.S. businesses with U.S. universities to help the businesses achieve success in the global market.

School of Business Dean Susan Phillips said the center is critical in allowing U.S. businesses to be competitive in the global economy.

“The GW-CIBER plays an increasingly important role in preparing students, businesses, policymakers and professionals for the worldwide economy of the 21st century,” Phillips said in the news release.