Tag: International Education

Bridging Borders: UL Lafayette’s Role in International Education Initiatives

In an exciting endeavor to promote academic collaboration and student exchange, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette recently played host to a diverse delegation from around a dozen countries. This visit, which is part of a broader initiative aimed at fostering collaboration among universities globally, was orchestrated by UL Lafayette’s Division of Global Engagement. The event was a significant component of the ongoing efforts to enhance international education policies and practices, as per this news release from the school.

The international education visit aligned with the NAFSA: Association of International Educators’ conference in New Orleans, drawing members of NAFSA to the UL Lafayette campus. NAFSA, established in 1948 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., represents over 170 countries, including UL Lafayette. The association’s members are dedicated to advancing international education through collaborative policies and practices.

The international education delegation, which journeyed to the campus on a Friday via bus at the University’s invitation, comprised a variety of influential figures such as college presidents, consul generals, and embassy representatives. This convergence of educational and governmental leaders underscored the importance of global academic cooperation.

A highlight of the visit was the signing of several memorandums of understanding between University representatives and NAFSA members. These agreements are set to pave the way for enhanced scholarly and research collaboration, as well as enriching student exchange programs. To further celebrate the occasion, the visitors were treated to a cultural feast featuring local delicacies like crawfish and jambalaya, accompanied by live music from the renowned Michael Doucet.

During a welcoming reception, Dr. Joseph Savoie, the President of the University, highlighted the immense value that international students bring to the campus community. He noted that these students introduce a multitude of cultural elements and diverse perspectives, which serve to inform, enlighten, and influence the university environment. Additionally, Dr. Savoie emphasized that many international students also contribute high levels of scholarship and research expertise, enhancing the academic rigor and innovation within the classrooms and laboratories.

Dr. Gabriel Carranza, the Executive Director of Global Engagement at the University, expressed the significance of hosting such a delegation. He remarked on the fortuitous nature of the visit, emphasizing that institutions and individuals cannot promote or partner with an unfamiliar place. By welcoming influential educators and governmental officials, the University gains invaluable exposure, facilitating the promotion of its programs and its status as a top-tier research institution globally.

Earlier in the week, the campus was also graced by a delegation led by Slovakia’s Minister of Education. This group had the opportunity to explore the facilities and laboratories of the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences, where they learned about cutting-edge virtual reality research. This visit not only showcased the University’s advanced scientific research but also laid the groundwork for future collaborations.

Looking ahead, Dr. Azmy Ackleh, Dean of the College of Sciences, revealed that later in the summer, a group of about 15 college students from Slovakia would visit the University to study computer science. Dr. Ackleh articulated theinvaluable nature of such visits, noting that they foster collaboration in science and other disciplines, helping to grow and strengthen international partnerships across various fields.

Currently, the University boasts collaborative partnerships with approximately 40 universities in 60 countries. A significant milestone in its international collaboration efforts was joining the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) last year, making it the first member of this international network of French-speaking universities and research institutions in the United States.

The presence of these international delegations and the ongoing efforts to cultivate global partnerships underscore the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s commitment to fostering a rich, diverse, and collaborative academic environment. These initiatives not only enhance the educational experiences of students but also contribute to the global academic community’s growth and innovation.

For more education-related information, click here.

Tulane University Highlights International Education with a Week of Celebration

This year’s International Education Week is set to highlight and celebrate the educational impact of Tulane University’s students, faculty, and outreach, according to this press release from the school.

Outside of being a prestigious Louisiana institution, Tulane University is a global university. With students representing over 80 countries and scholars and international students numbering over 1,500, Tulane University has grown increasingly globalized. The school also boasts 140 study abroad programs in 40 countries, approximately 10,000 international alumni, and research taking place across 70 nations all around the world, from Central America to Asia.

This year, Tulane’s Office of Academic Affairs and Provost as well as the Office of International Affairs, which is also known as Tulane Global, will join forces to host this year’s TU International Education Week.

This annual week that celebrates and advocates for Internationally-focused educational opportunities is made possible thanks to Tulane Global’s key partners: the Office of International Students and Scholars, the NTC Center for Global Education, and over 15 schools and units across Tulane’s campus.

Tulane University’s International Education Week is set to take place from November 14 through the 17th, with a variety of programming at both the uptown and downtown campuses. There are internationally-acclaimed keynote speakers, a welcome reception with musical performances, and satellite events on campus. International culinary offerings will be available at The Commons as well.

The theme for this year’s International Education Week is set to be “(Re) Imagining Borderlands & Shared Cultures in Between.” Throughout the week, Tulane aims to celebrate the University’s global community and to spotlight their international research, collaborations, and variety of learning that Tulane faculty, students, and staff are consistently engaged in around the world.

Laila Hlass, associate provost for international affairs and clinical professor of law at Tulane Law School, commented on this year’s event by saying, “International Education Week is an opportunity to celebrate Tulane’s international community and reflect upon our global footprint. This year’s theme is meant to spark deeper thinking about global inequity and racism while we cultivate spaces for global awareness across borders fostering an inclusive international community and encouraging impactful and responsive global learning and research.”

One of the highlights of the week will be an inaugural lecture by the noted Peruvian-American journalist and author Daniel Alarcón. Then, a closing keynote lecture by Pulitzer Prize-winning Mojave American poet Natalie Diaz.

Juan Carlos Alarcón is a Columbian professor of journalism and a 2021 MacArthur Fellow. His work explores the connections between people throughout Latin America through their social, cultural, and linguistic ties.  Alarcón is the author of Lost City Radio, At Night We Walk in Circles, and The King is Always Above The People. He is a contributing writer for “The New Yorker” and a co-founder of the “Radio Ambulante” and “El Hilo” podcasts.  He will speak at 5:30 p.m., on November 14th, in Freeman Auditorium at Woldenberg Art Center.

Alarcón’s multimedia lecture is sponsored by the Center for Inter-American Policy & Research, the Freeman School of Business, the Fulbright Association, the School of Liberal Arts, the Stone Center for Latin American Studies, the Office of Academic Affairs and Provost, and Tulane Global.

Natalie Diaz, who is also a 2018 MacArthur Fellow, is a professor in the English Department at Arizona State University and a co-founder of the Center for the Imagination of the Borderlands. Born and raised in the  Fort Mojave Indian Village on the banks of the Colorado River. Diaz is an enrolled member of the Gila River Indian Tribe. Diaz won the Pulitzer Prize in Poetry in 2021 for her poetry collection “Postcolonial Love Poem.” Diaz’s keynote lecture will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at 5:30 p.m. at Freeman Auditorium. 

The following sponsors sponsored Diaz’s talk: Altman Program for International Studies and Business, Middle American Research Institute, Newcomb Institute, Office of Academic Affairs and Provost, Office of Equity Diversity and Inclusion, and Tulane Global.

For more education-related information, click here.