Purdue's global business initiative reaches out to parents of international students
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Parents of incoming international students are invited to participate in a Wednesday (Aug. 17) workshop that helps them learn about Purdue and the state of Indiana as a business resource.
"One of Purdue's strengths is the university's role in the international community and our legacy of maintaining long-lasting relationships with our international students and their families," said Mark Van Fleet, executive director of the Global Business Engagement Initiative. "We want to build on this relationship. If you are an international student's parent who is involved in business we can help you and your business connect with faculty, students, technologies, facilities and the Indiana community.
"It's only natural that parents of international students will take more of an interest in the state of Indiana once they send their children here for an education, and we want them to know about university, local and state resources. It's also another opportunity to leverage Purdue's international dimension to help attract foreign investment and expand international trade to benefit Indiana."
"How Purdue Can Advance Your Business: A Workshop for Parents of International Students" is sponsored by Purdue's Global Business Engagement Initiative. The workshop is an option for international students' parents as part of the new students International Programs orientation Aug. 15-17.
Purdue is home to one of the largest international student populations at a public university. Last year, 6,761 students from 125 countries attended Purdue.
Discussion topics and presenters will include:
* Connecting with faculty: John Schneider, assistant vice president for industry research and outreach in the Office of the Vice President for Research; David McKinnis, director of the Technical Assistance Program; and Robert Davis, general manager of the Purdue Enterprise Company.
* Investment and technology: Matt McFarland from the Office of Technology and Commercialization and Jan Mills from the Purdue Research Park.
* Investing in Indiana: Tony Roswarski, mayor of Lafayette; John Dennis, mayor of West Lafayette; and Doug Mansfield, chairman of Greater Lafayette Commerce.
* Connecting with students: Eckhard Groll, director of the Office of Professional Practice; and Tim Luzader, director of Purdue Center for Career Opportunities.
"Reaching out to international students' parents who have business interests will lead to valuable global opportunities and experiences for Purdue students," said Michael A. Brzezinski, dean of International Programs. "We would like to see more internship or co-op opportunities because of this partnership, or even possible connections that could be brought to campus."
The Global Business Engagement Initiative, which is part of Purdue's International Programs office, was launched during the Feb. 25 Indiana Mayoral Roundtable on China. State and local government officials, along with community and business leaders, attended the conference to learn more about using the university to help develop partnerships with China and bring business to Indiana. The initiative is focusing on China, but there are plans to expand to other countries.
This summer, Purdue announced that the Global Business Engagement Initiative partnered with Greater Lafayette Commerce and the Logansport-Cass County Economic Development Foundation to develop strategic plans to expand trade and investment with China to stimulate local economic development. The initiative also hosted a business workshop for Indiana manufacturers.
Writer: Amy Patterson Neubert, 765-494-9723, apatterson@purdue.edu
Sources: Mark Van Fleet, 765-494-0614, mvanfleet@purdue.edu
Michael A. Brzezinski, 765-494-9399, mbrzezinski@purdue.edu
Note to Journalists: Journalists interested in attending can contact Amy Paterson Neubert, Purdue News Service, 765-494-9723, apatterson@purdue.edu, for schedule details.