November 19, 2021
Akdere, Tort receive Purdue’s Outstanding Leadership in Globalization Award
On the occasion of International Education Week (Nov. 15-19), Purdue’s Office of Global Partnerships (OGP) and Global Academic Committee (GAC) have announced the winners of Purdue’s 2021 Outstanding Leadership in Globalization Award: Mesut Akdere, professor in the Department of Technology Leadership and Innovation in the Purdue Polytechnic Institute, and Joseph Tort, associate director in the Office of Professional Practice in the College of Engineering.
These university-level awards are given annually to recognize faculty and staff members for their dedicated efforts to increase Purdue’s global recognition as a leader in higher education.
Globalization in this context is defined as developing, facilitating and sustaining programs and activities – in partnership with universities, agencies and private-sector constituents outside the United States – that further Purdue’s institutional strategic goals embodied in Purdue's Next Moves. Specifically, the awards recognize exceptional endeavors that involve faculty and/or students from Purdue and international counterparts in learning, discovery and/or engagement.
Mesut Akdere
In support of Akdere’s nomination, Stephen Elliott, professor and head of the Department of Technology Leadership and Innovation, said: “Throughout his time at Purdue University, Dr. Akdere has been impacting research and the student experience both at home and abroad. His innovative contributions and collaborations have resulted in an impressive portfolio of research, curriculum and engagement. He is a leader in the Department of Technology Leadership and Innovation and a valued ally of the Center for Intercultural Learning Mentorship and Assessment and Research. He is truly a global champion for the Purdue Polytechnic Institute.”
Joseph Tort
Eric Nauman, director of the Office of Professional Practice and professor of mechanical engineering and basic medical sciences and biomedical engineering (by courtesy), said of Tort: “Joe has an immense impact on students, faculty and colleagues alike. He works strategically to expand the scope and impact of the Global Engineering Alliance for Research and Education programs and explores synergies in global engineering education and career development for our students. Joe is an exemplary leader and his enthusiasm and drive for excellence are inspiring and contagious.”
The OGP and GAC are now accepting faculty and staff nominations for the 2022 Outstanding Leadership in Globalization Awards. New this year, one faculty and one staff member will receive an award for comprehensive impact relevant to all of the academic mission categories of learning, discovery and engagement. In addition, one faculty and one staff member will receive an award for pillar-specific impact relevant to one or more of the three mission categories of learning, discovery and engagement. These monetary awards are open to all categories of full-time University faculty and staff members.
Following the existing procedures for administering faculty and staff awards, each college or unit may submit up to three nominations for each award (i.e., three for faculty and three for staff) by March 1.
These awards were created to further reinforce the importance of the global outreach undertaken by Purdue faculty and staff. The awards demonstrate the institution’s commitment to the Purdue's Next Moves initiatives of promoting world-changing research and transformative education, for the benefit of the entire Purdue community of faculty, staff and students as well as stakeholders abroad. Nomination instructions are available online:
International Education Week celebrates the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. A joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education, the week promotes programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attracts future leaders from abroad to study, learn and exchange experiences.
