Letter from the Founder and Head of Research
Dear Friends and Partners,
It is my pleasure to introduce the Global Competency Research Consortium (GCRC) initiative.
This is a pioneering international research program focused on the professional, personal, and intercultural competencies students develop through Study Abroad. Its most ambitious feature is a longitudinal research program lasting up to 10 years, designed to measure both the immediate and longer-term impact of international experiences.
The project is being developed as a consortium of universities and Study Abroad programs, with each partner making a very modest contribution based on its number of students. It can be implemented at the individual center or location level, regionally, or globally.
As part of the initiative, each participating student receives the STUDY ABROAD GLOBAL EXPERIENCE CERTIFICATION, recognizing their participation and competency development. In addition, each participating Study Abroad program or university receives its own Certification Badge, recognizing its participation in the GCRC initiative.
At SAA Analytics, we believe the initiative offers significant potential benefits for Study Abroad programs and universities, including research, evidence-based differentiation, international benchmarking, and demonstrating the impact and value of Study Abroad.
We are currently presenting the initiative to major global players in Study Abroad and leading U.S. universities that send students abroad. In this context, we believe that your institution could play an important role in this international research initiative.
Importantly, institutions can join the GCRC and begin working with the initiative at no cost for the Spring 2027 term, providing an opportunity to experience the project before deciding on future participation.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like any additional information or clarification.
Warm regards,
Dr. George Monray
Head of Research
SAA Analytics
Executive Profile
Dr. George (Jorge) Monray is an international business strategist, professor, researcher, and Founder of SAA–Study Abroad Analytics and the Global Competency Alliance, with more than 25 years of experience in international education, executive consulting, and higher education.
A former consultant at Hay Group (now Korn Ferry), he has advised multinational organizations on strategy, leadership, and organizational development while teaching business and finance across Europe and Asia.
His research focuses on measuring and certifying the academic, professional, and personal outcomes of study abroad and international competencies. He has developed evidence-based methodologies to assess students’ global competencies, employability, intercultural effectiveness, and career readiness, helping universities demonstrate the measurable impact of international education.
Dr. Monray currently lectures at the Institute for American Universities (Barcelona) and has taught at institutions including ESIC, CIEE, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Arcadia University, Swiss Business School, NIDA Business School, Kasetsart University, and Universitas Pelita Harapan.
His work helps universities and study abroad providers:
Measure and certify student competency development.
Demonstrate learning outcomes through objective evidence.
Support accreditation, quality assurance, and institutional research.
Strengthen program marketing through measurable student impact.
Enhance graduates’ employability through competency certification.
Dr. Monray holds a Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.) from Swiss Business School University of Applied Sciences Institute (Zurich) and an M.B.A. from Nottingham Trent University and Escuela de Administración de Empresas. He also completed the International Faculty Development Program at IESE Business School and is the author of books and peer-reviewed research in international business, economics, and education.
Selected Organizations
Universities & Study Abroad: IAU, CEA-CAPA, CIEE, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Arcadia University, Euncet, ESIC, ESADE, EAE, Swiss Business School, ESEI, NIDA, Kasetsart University, North Chiang Mai University, Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, Shanghai International Studies University, and Strathmore University–IESE Partnership.
Corporate & Consulting: Hay Group (Korn Ferry), YKK, Motorola, HP, Avico, Lippo Group, Kantar Group, Ace Hardware, and Stabilo Boss.
Languages: English, Spanish, and Catalan (native); French and Thai.
Email: gm@saanalytics.tech
Full info in personal website: https://gmonray.com
Study Abroad Analytics
gm@saanalytics.tech
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