The World Trade Institute (WTI) is a centre of excellence at the University of Bern. It is located in Bern, Switzerland and directed by Professor Joseph Francois. The WTI provides graduate studies and a forum for interdisciplinary research and teaching in international trade law and economics. Fostering interaction between students and professionals, the Institute allows researchers and practitioners to establish networks and pool expertise. The WTI offers a graduate master's programme in international trade law and economics (MILE), an annual summer academy in Bern, WTO accession training, an executive education programme, and tailor-made courses in trade regulation and economics. In 2005 the WTI became the leading research centre for the Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research - NCCR Trade Regulation - which is funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation. The WTI also hosts an annual World Trade Forum conference where interdisciplinary speakers and scholars from the fields of law, economy, political science and international relations discuss contemporary topics of the world trading system.