Task Group Calls for Internationalizing UB

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- A University at Buffalo faculty task group has released a set of recommendations for "internationalizing" UB, calling for new investments in student experiences, faculty scholarship and institutional mission.

The report by UB's International Strategy Task Group recommends that UB build upon its leadership in international student recruitment, overseas education and study abroad to create a comprehensive international strategy and identity for UB. UB Provost Satish K. Tripathi commissioned the report as part of the UB 2020 strategic planning process.

"It is imperative that a leading public research university make international education and global citizenship an essential part of its mission," Tripathi said. "This report clearly indicates that international education and scholarship are a strategic strength of UB."

The task group's chief recommendation is that UB leverage its current strengths in the international area to internationalize the institution as a whole, said group member David M. Engel, SUNY Distinguished Service Professor and director of international programs in the UB Law School.

"UB's impressively large international student population and innovative overseas programs illustrate UB's success in going out into the world, but we must do a better job of conferring the benefit of UB's international engagement on the entire university community," said Engel, who also serves as chair of the UB Council on International Studies and Programs.

With more than 4,000 international students, UB is ranked 10th in international student enrollment among U.S. colleges and universities. UB is known for pioneering overseas programs, particularly in Asia, and for having one of the most entrepreneurial international education offices in the country, the report stated. This experience and expertise should be integrated throughout the university, the task group recommended.

Making UB into an international university would enable UB to better train students for "the challenges and promises of the global community, facilitate globalized research and enhance understanding among the world's peoples," according to the report.

An institutional emphasis on international education and global citizenship, complemented by UB's proximity to an international border, would set UB apart from other public research universities, the report stated.

Stephen C. Dunnett, vice provost for international education, said: "this is an excellent report with far-reaching recommendations that, if implemented, will ensure that UB's commitment to internationalization is reflected in its curriculum, faculty and research. I look forward to working with my colleagues across the campus on the implementation of these timely recommendations."

The task group report proposed recommendations in three categories: the student experience, faculty scholarship and research and institutional mission. The recommendations include the following:

* Integrate global perspectives across the university's curriculum and require student competence in a second language.

* Strengthen and enhance opportunities for research and scholarly exchange with Canada and Canadian colleges.

* Internationalize student experiences starting in the first year of study by requiring incoming students to have a passport, incorporating travel to Canada in freshman courses and developing introductory study-abroad programs for freshmen.

* Better integrate international students into campus life by expanding programs that bring together international and domestic students.

* Inventory and raise awareness of UB's international activities.

* Integrate the work of faculty with institutional internationalization efforts.

* Identify international experience and research as an asset for faculty hiring and promotion.

* Create incentives and eliminate barriers for faculty to incorporate international activities in teaching, scholarship and service.

* Promote faculty participation in study-abroad and exchange programs.

* Look for opportunities for UB to be a positive presence on every continent.

* Become a more significant international resource for the local community.

* Develop policies and procedures for international technology transfer, patents and licensing for expanded international research collaborations.

Other members of the faculty task group include Sharmistha Bagchi-Sen, professor of geography; Austin Booth, University Libraries; Jose Buscaglia, associate professor of Spanish and director of the Program in Caribbean Studies; Andreas Daum, professor of history and associate dean for undergraduate education; Mehrdad Hadighi, associate professor and chair of the Department of Architecture; John Ho, SUNY Distinguished Service Professor of Physics and interim vice provost for graduate education and dean of the Graduate School; Maureen Jameson, associate professor of French and chair of the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures; Joseph Mook, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering and assistant dean for international education in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences; Donald Pollock, associate professor and chair of the Department of Anthropology; Raghav Rao, professor of management science and systems; Natalie Simpson, associate professor of management science and systems; and John Yeh, professor and chair of the Department of Gynecology-Obstetrics.

Ex officio members of the task group are Dunnett; Beth DelGenio, chief of staff, Office of the Provost; Scott Nostaja, interim vice president of human resources; and John Wood, associate vice provost for international education.

The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, the largest and most comprehensive campus in the State University of New York. UB's more than 28,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities.