Purdue News
Purdue NewsThe new exchange program is part of a continuing effort to strengthen and expand the relationship between the two universities as Mongolia works to reform its higher education system. Purdue's Schools of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture also have educational partnerships with Mongolian universities.
"We are moving away from the Russian system of higher education to an accreditation method that more closely resembles that of the United States," said Dr. Dendev Bedarch, president of Mongolian Technical University and head of the Mongolian Universities Consortium. "Higher education in the U.S. is very prestigious and provides a good model for our reform effort."
In addition to faculty and graduate student exchanges, the School of Education's agreement will promote collaborative research and other mutually agreed upon educational programs.
"Purdue University has a long history of cooperative, institution-building projects," said Michael Stohl, dean of international programs. "We're hopeful that this growing relationship will expand into further opportunities to assist the Mongolian government and the Mongolian Universities Consortium with their higher education reform."
The agreement builds on a foundation laid by Charles Kline, associate professor of educational administration, who has visited Mongolia three times in the past two years under the sponsorship of the United States Information Agency, the Midwest Universities Consortium for International Activities, and a global faculty initiative grant from Purdue's International Programs.
Marilyn Haring, dean of the School of Education, is looking forward to the exchange of both people and ideas.
"This is a truly unique opportunity for our faculty and graduate students," Haring said. "They will be able to get a first-hand look at an educational system as it's being rebuilt from the ground up. And the visiting scholars and students from Mongolia will bring a fresh perspective to the work that's being done here on the West Lafayette campus."
Planning is now under way for the School of Education's first exchange of faculty
and graduate students. The appointments for visiting scholars will range from a few
CONTACTS: Haring, (765) 494-2336; e-mail, haringm@vm.cc.purdue.edu
Stohl, (765) 494-8463; e-mail, puglobal@ippu.purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu
