Purdue News

Written For Release Monday (11/13) November 13, 2000 Purdue celebrates International Education Week WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Already a leader in international student enrollment, Purdue is expanding its efforts to encourage more of its U.S. students to study abroad, the university announced Friday (11/10), in conjunction with the nation's first International Education Week. The university also is sponsoring lectures and other activities for the week, which the U.S. Department of Education has designated to begin today (11/13). Michael Stohl, Purdue's dean of international programs, said his area has launched a grant competition to encourage individual schools and departments on the West Lafayette campus to integrate study abroad opportunities and the university's global studies program into their curriculums. The competition will award up to six grants of $25,000 each during the 2000-2001 academic year. "Participation in our study abroad programs is up 72 percent from just five years ago," Stohl said, "but we are always searching for new opportunities that fit a student's interests as well as his or her academic needs." Two lectures of international interest will take place this Friday (11/17). At noon, Purdue philosophy Professor Paul Thompson will present "GMO Update: Safety and Ethical Concerns in an International Context" in Whistler Hall of Agricultural Research, Room 116. At 3:30 p.m., Mitoji Yabunaka, Japanese counsel general in Chicago, will present "An Overview of Development in Asia – Japan's Foreign Policy Stance" in Krannert Center, Room 124. Both events are free and open to the public. The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures is sponsoring daily Coffee and Tea Conversation Hours in Stewart Center's Staaks Lounge for the week. An international education awareness program for children, organized by the Office of International Students and Scholars, will be 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday (11/14) at Burnett Creek Elementary School. "Purdue is a global university on many levels," said Stohl, who also is a professor of political science. "The goal of the Office of International Programs is to insure that the university's land-grant missions of teaching, research, and service are enhanced by international perspectives and experiences. "Purdue has a long history of seeking out and promoting international research collaborations, cultivating an international dimension to its academic programs, recruiting international students, and developing overseas study and exchange programs." In announcing the initiative, U.S. Education Secretary Richard Riley said, "The power of people-to-people connections plays an ever-increasing role in today's global economy. I strongly believe that the growth of democracy, economic prosperity and social stability throughout the world is linked to the advance of international cooperation and education." Stohl added, "We want to make international experiences an integral part of a Purdue University education. That is why every week is International Education Week on the West Lafayette campus." Sources: Michael Stohl, (765) 494-9399, stohl@polsci.purdue.edu Writer: Sharon A. Bowker, (765) 494-9723, sbowker@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu Related Web sites: National Association for Foreign Student Affairs To the Purdue News and Photos Page