PULLMAN, Wash. “Forty-seven percent of Washington State University’s peer-reviewed journal publications in 2011 involved international affiliations,” according to Prema Arasu, vice provost of International Programs (IP). “That trend has been increasing based on annual data from 1996 but does not correlate with WSU’s level of international funding.”
That was among the statistics highlighting WSU’s long history of global engagement shared with almost 80 WSU faculty and administrators at a recent workshop on “Advancing International Research.” Held at Pullman, the workshop sponsored by IP and the Office of Research included videoconference participants from six other WSU locations across the state.
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A pilot program for International Research Travel Awards, with applications due Nov. 15, was launched at the workshop to promote collaboration and proposal development.
Arasu’s goal as WSU’s chief international officer since 2010 has been to enhance the university’s model for international engagement and comprehensive internationalization. At the workshop, she elaborated on the reconfiguration of IP’s organizational structure into three cross-functional departments: Global Learning, Global Services and International Research & Engagement.
“International Programs will provide greater support to faculty in establishing strategic partnerships and identifying funding to further catalyze research collaborations,” she said.
“Internationalization of research, teaching and outreach is becoming an important element of the modern land-grant institution,” said Dan Bernardo, dean of the College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences and vice president for agriculture and extension. “This initiative also propels WSU’s goal of becoming an AAU (Association of American Universities) institution; and this has to be one of the key things as we refresh WSU’s strategic plan for the next five years.”
Bernardo emphasized that improving WSU’s global research portfolio requires internationalization to be embedded in the university from top to bottom – with more institutional and multilateral linkages consistent with institutional priorities, in addition to faculty-to-faculty collaborations.
Other speakers included: Nancy Magnuson, joint host of the workshop and interim vice president for the Office of Research and dean of the Graduate School; Gary Pollack, dean of the College of Pharmacy; and Daryll DeWald, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
To succeed and prosper in a global economy and an interconnected world, they said, WSU needs to attract global talent people who can contribute to WSU’s mission in education, research and engagement.
Bringing global talent to WSU is mutually beneficial, these speakers explained. Their intellectual presence enables all faculty and students to increase their scholarly knowledge, intercultural communications skills and global competencies. Overall, they contribute to WSU’s academic excellence and international partnerships.
During facilitated breakout sessions, workshop participants discussed various topics, including funding opportunities from domestic and international agencies, interdisciplinary projects and building and sustaining successful partnerships. Feedback from participants indicated strong interest in follow-up workshops and meetings. Please click here to access the workshop proceedings.