The University of Southern Indiana has become one of 10 national institutions selected to participate in the 2011 International Academic Partnerships Program from the Institute of International Education. Participation will allow USI to create new exchange opportunities with China, including training activities and a study tour this spring.

Evansville, Ind. -- University of Southern Indiana is one of 10 United States institutions of higher education to participate in a 2011 initiative of the International Academic Partnerships Program (IAPP) according to a news release issued by the Institute of International Education (IIE). USI and the other nine institutions were selected based on an interest in building ties with institutions in China, a dominant economic and world power. IAPP is funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education.

"The IAPP program is a perfect fit at a perfect time for USI," said Heidi Gregori-Gahan, director of International Programs and Services at USI. "A goal of the University's strategic plan is to enhance experiential learning experiences, including study abroad opportunities for all students. Student interest in studying in China has grown over the past three years at USI."

Mandarin Chinese was first offered in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages in the College of Liberal Arts in 2009 and enrollments in the programs have grown steadily. USI also offers a major in International Studies through the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Business is developing an International Business major.

According to Gregori-Gahan more faculty and students are interested in developing short-term programs ranging from business to public health to education.

"Education majors and area teachers are planning a global engagement program in Beijing this summer and faculty in the College of Nursing and Health Professions want to develop, in addition to exchange programs, joint courses that could be delivered to USI students and to students in China via the web," Gregori-Gahan said.

The IAPP will assist USI in establishing international exchange opportunities with China. They plan a series of training activities, focused on implementing and sustaining partnerships with institutions in China and a study tour to China in spring 2011 to meet with potential partner campuses. USI will be forming a campus task force to work on prospective partnerships with China.

Other institutions selected for the China initiative are Greenville Technical College, Jacksonville State University, Lake Washington Technical College, Marymount Manhattan College, Saginaw Valley State University, Southern Methodist University, State University of New York at Fredonia, The College of New Jersey, and Utah Valley University.

The IIE Center for International Partnerships launched IAPP in 2009 as a two-year initiative, with the pilot group focused on building partnerships between the United States and India. Ten American institutions participated in the first year, and their experience culminated with a study tour to India that coincided with President Obama's Indian visit in November 2010. IAPP China will build on the success of the first year with India, harnessing new lessons learned from year one and continuing to leverage IIE's expertise in international higher education.

Source: University of Southern Indiana & Inside INdiana Business

http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=45655