Dear all,
It’s hard to believe, but the fall semester is now in its sixth week! Much has happened in that period, and I’d like to point out some of the highlights from September. We always look forward to the Study Abroad Fair, held in the International Ballroom at the Iowa Memorial Union on September 16. The fair is a large, public-facing event that allows International Programs to introduce its myriad study abroad opportunities to the campus community. Our tremendous Study Abroad team spends weeks months organizing the fair, which brings together various study abroad providers, exhibitors from UI colleges and departments highlighting specific programs, as well as scholarship, grant, and internship advisors to give Iowa students insights into the programming and support the UI offers to those students seeking an international learning experience. With study abroad numbers, as well as first year enrollments continuing to rise, the fair provides an excellent occasion for IP students, faculty, and staff to learn about the increasing number of possibilities our campus provides throughout the global landscape. The vibe is also quite fun, and we have no doubt that the nearly 800 attendees greatly enjoyed themselves at IP’s kickoff event to promote the transformational experiences that only study abroad can offer.
The Study Abroad Fair is always a success not only because Iowans are curious about the world but because they are engaged in it. A prime example of this engagement was our Governor Kim Reynolds’ trade mission to India in which I was quite privileged to participate. The Governor’s Office, in conjunction with the Iowa Economic Development Authority, assembled a delegation which consisted of representatives from the agricultural, business, and academic sectors. It was fascinating to connect with decision makers from across the state to forge new partnerships in promoting Iowa’s expertise in manufacturing, farming, technology, and education to advance workforce development at home and business collaborations abroad.
Highlights of the trade mission included the World Food Prize FoundationNext Conference in New Delhi, sponsored in part by our friend Jay Sehgal of the Sehgal Foundation, a visit to Praj Industries Limited in Pune to discuss partnerships in the development of biofuels, a trip to a model family-run dairy farm, as well as the Partner State Signing Ceremony between Iowa and Maharashtra in Mumbai at the conclusion of the trip. Iowa’s Partner State relationship with Maharashtra is truly an exciting development, as Maharashtra is one of the most influential and economically vibrant states in India and is also the home of the UI’s chief partner in that country, MIT-ADT Pune. The UI was indeed proud that so many of our friends and colleagues from MIT-ADT Pune attended the signing ceremony in Mumbai to show support for the collaboration with the University of Iowa as well as for the Iowa-Maharashtra partnership. Our friends from Pune met Governor Reynolds and presented her with a gift to reinforce the bond between our two states. Everyone knows the importance India plays on the world stage. To see the UI’s and the state of Iowa’s interests align so closely is encouraging indeed, and IP looks forward to building this collaboration in the years to come.
With all best wishes and thanks for your support,
Russ
International Programs (IP) at the University of Iowa (UI) is committed to enriching the global experience of UI students, faculty, staff, and the general public by leading efforts to promote internationally oriented teaching, research, creative work, and community engagement. IP provides support for international students and scholars, administers scholarships and assistance for students who study, intern, or do research abroad, and provides funding opportunities and grant-writing assistance for faculty engaged in international research. IP shares their stories through various media, and by hosting multiple public engagement activities each year.