News

University of Massachusetts > News > News

University of Massachusetts Celebrates International Education Week Nov. 12-16

University Highlights International Research, Teaching, and Service Through New Publication and Multi-language Website

BOSTON -Tuesday, November 13- This week, the University of Massachusetts will join educational institutions worldwide in celebrating the eighth annual International Education Week from November 12th-16th.

In honor of the weeklong celebration, UMass has published an overview of its international partnerships, research, teaching and service titled, "University of Massachusetts International Relations: Global Reach, Global Impact." It is available in hard copy and on the web at www.massachusetts.edu/international. In addition, this fall, the University's International Relations website was translated into Chinese, Spanish, German and French.

"In today's globally integrated and deeply inter-dependent world, students need to understand complex global issues in order to succeed in the careers of tomorrow. That is why UMass has forged strong partnerships with academic institutions across the world to allow our students and faculty to engage in international research, teaching and service opportunities," said University of Massachusetts President Jack M. Wilson.

President Wilson continued, "As we celebrate International Education Week across all five UMass campuses, studying and serving the global community continues to be an important part of the University's mission." President Wilson has participated in international academic collaborations throughout his career in higher education, traveling to Europe, Africa and China to meet with scientific collaborators, academic leaders and entrepreneurs.

Global endeavors at the University of Massachusetts date back to 1876, when President William Smith Clark was invited to Japan to help establish an agricultural college in Hokkaido. Today, the University has partnerships across all seven continents and more than 100 student study abroad programs.

Other highlights of UMass international partnerships include, among others:

• Some UMass international partners include academic institutions in Germany, South Africa, Liberia, Japan, Brazil, Portugal and China.
• The UMass Confucius Institute is one of about 20 institutes of its kind in the United States established by Hanban to promote the teaching and understanding of Chinese language and culture. Many of its programs are open to Massachusetts residents.
• UMass has more than 100 study abroad programs and UMass students receive Fulbright grants and participate in the Fulbright
  Teacher Exchange Program.
• Faculty from all five UMass campuses touch literally every continent with their teaching, research and service. In addition, several UMass faculty members are Fulbright Scholars.

There will be a number of special events held in honor of International Education Week across the five UMass campuses, including: a presentation by exchange students from Tsinghua University in China and study abroad information sessions at UMass Boston; cultural performances followed by an Indian dinner sponsored by the Indian Student Association at UMass Dartmouth; an International Culture Night and presentation of the film "Homecoming in Southern Sudan" at UMass Amherst; a special presentation at UMass Lowell on their exchange program for students who want to study in Germany; and a dinner at UMass Medical School to welcome colleagues from Good Samaritan Hospital in the Dominican Republic.

This year marks the eighth anniversary of the first International Education Week, aimed at highlighting the vital importance of international education and the exchange of students and faculty to foster greater understanding and cooperation among nations. The event is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education.

Contact: Bill Wright, 617.287.7065

11/13/07

Back

The PDF files on this page require the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.