Dean of the International Business School Bruce Magid has been named to the Board of Directors of the New England-Israel Business Council, according to a Jan. 26 press release from the IBS.

"I am very excited to join NEIBC's board to help further its mission of strengthening bonds between local and Israeli companies," said Magid in the press release. "My involvement with NEIBC reflects our school's commitment to building bridges and creating an academic atmosphere characterized by cooperation and collaboration."

According to the NEIBC's website, the council aims to bolster academic collaborations between New England and Israel and to "increase economic development in Israel and New England by fostering cooperation, investment opportunities and business relationships through business exchanges and educational events."

IBS is listed as an event sponsor on the front page of the NEIBC's website; the press release said that both the business school and Magid himself have strong ties to the council. Brandeis has hosted the annual NEIBC business summit for four years.

This announcement comes on the heels of Magid's participation in two trade missions with Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick last year, the first to Israel and the U.K., and the second to Brazil. Magid spoke on three panels during the delegation's time in Israel. He also spoke with government officials in Israel about the "benefits of international trade and investments."

Patrick spoke at the NEIBC's annual summit at Brandeis in November and stressed the importance of the relationship between Massachusetts and Israel. He said that he is looking to "create opportunities both here in Massachusetts and in Israel."

University President Frederick Lawrence commented at that event that the "strategic partnership" between the United States and Israel "has never been more obvious."

He added that "to those who are aware of the challenges in the global economy and the global political economy today, to have a strong ally based on a democratic system and based on a market system makes it an obvious partnership."