Nov. 15, 2006: The University of Massachusetts will join educational institutions worldwide in celebrating International Education Week, from November 13th through 17th. This marks the seventh year of recognition of the vital importance of international education and the exchange of students and faculty to foster greater understanding and cooperation among nations.
"UMass has a long and proud history of welcoming scholars from abroad to our campuses and of sending students and faculty members overseas to do research and study at colleges and universities in other nations. This practice dates back to the 1860s when we were the Massachusetts College of Agriculture," said University of Massachusetts President Jack M. Wilson.
"Last month, we opened a UMass administrative office in Beijing at Tsinghua University and on November 20th, we will celebrate the official opening of the University of Massachusetts Confucius Institute, which will be located on the UMass-Boston campus. This Institute, a collaboration with Hanban, the Office of Chinese Language Council International, will promote Chinese language and culture," added President Wilson.
On November 17th, President Wilson will be a guest speaker in Providence, Rhode Island, during the New England Board of Higher Education's 20th anniversary dinner. The theme for this year's celebration is: "College Ready/World Ready: New England Higher Education in a Global Student Marketplace."
Last year, 2,912 - approximately 5% - of the more than 57,000 students at UMass campuses in Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth, Lowell and Worcester were international students. More than 1,300 UMass students studied at colleges and universities around the globe last year.
UMass has more than 100 study abroad programs and the University established new partnerships with colleges and universities in South Africa, China and India this year.
In further celebration of International Week, UMass has launched the second phase of its International Relations database online. This database tool will allow faculty members to enter data about their international activities, including teaching, research and service around the world.
There will be a number of special events held this week on UMass campuses, ranging from a Multicultural Night at UMass-Amherst to an International Crafts Sale at UMass Medical School in Worcester.
Contact: Bill Wright, 617.287.7065