International Activity
at MSU
November 2010
MSU as a Global University
In recent years, international programs,
research/outreach activities, and
student enrollment has increased.
MSU has become a global university,
reflected in its vision statement to be:
“a leading public research university
that is globally aware and involved…”
Growth in International Enrollment
Active recruitment has resulted in more international
students on our campus.
Year
No. of
Intnl. Students
Percent
of
Total
International Students
900
800
2005
574
3.6%
700
2006
594
3.7%
500
2007
661
3.9%
2008
676
3.8%
2009
772
4.2%
600
400
300
200
100
0
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
Note: the numbers above do not include approximately 200 non-credit ESL students.
Growth in MSU Study Abroad
A central Study Abroad Office was created in 2008. A 84%
increase has occurred since 2007. About 1.3% of our
students currently study abroad. Our goal: 5% or higher.
300
Year
Study Abroad
Students
2007
136
2008
219
2009
250
Students in Study Abroad
250
200
150
100
50
0
2007
2008
2009
International Program
Organization
MSU has a history of international
research and outreach involvement, but
changes in funding resulted in a decline
from what it was in the ‘80s.
Programs have also become highly
decentralized, which causes challenges.
Little or no coordination of risk
management.
Types of International Programs
and Activities at MSU
▪ English as a Second Lang.
▪ Basic & Applied Research
• Outreach & Educational
Program Delivery
▪ Faculty Fulbright Activity
▪ MOAs w/ Foreign Institutions
▪ Student Fulbright Activity
▪ Borlaug Institute Fellows
▪ Cntr for Intnl. Security &
Strategic Studies
▪ Intl. Studies Certificate
▪ Intnl. Admissions & Services
▪ Study Abroad
▪ MSU Intnl. Student Clubs
Academic to Research Continuum
Office of International Education
Study Abroad
ESL
Student Fulbright Activity
Basic & Applied Research
Memoranda of Agreements
with Foreign Institutions:
Faculty Exchanges & Student
Exchanges
Faculty Fulbright Activity
International Studies
Certificate
Borlaug Institute Fellows
Center for Intl. Security
and Strategic Studies
International Student Services
Outreach & Educational
ProgramO
Delivery
International Student Clubs
(Holmes Cultural Div Cntr)
More Academic
More Research
Development Activities
University committee chaired by Barry
Barnett – recommendations provided
Meetings with US AID, USDA FAS, FAO,
WFP, non-profits, for-profits, Levinson
and Associates
Numerous campus visits and tours
Memorandum of Understanding signed
with FAO
Recommendations
Establish a high profile administrative
position with responsibility for
international functions.
Invest in global awareness.
Better utilize international alumni to
support campus international functions.
With the MSU Foundation, initiate a
development effort to support
international functions.
Recommendations
Develop a facility that provides shortterm, furnished accommodations on or
near campus for international guests.
Consolidate many of the educational
international functions that are
currently administered by different units
on campus into a single unit.
Provide family housing opportunities.
Recommendations
Provide transportation for new
international students from Golden
Triangle Regional airport to campus.
Expand study abroad participation.
Create an office that facilitates
international research and outreach
opportunities for campus units.
Value international activities in the
promotion and tenure process.
Recommendations
Provide financial incentives that
encourage faculty engagement in
international research and outreach
activities.
Hire an international projects
administrator within Sponsored
Programs Administration.
Engage the MSU Extension Service in
international outreach activities.
Recent International
Opportunities
Nutritional Bar Development:
Cooperative project with World Food
Program and selected for-profit entities
to develop a nutrition bar for in-country
production using local commodities for
emergency and standard feeding
programs in the African Ivory Coast
region.
Recent International
Opportunities
Nutritional Bar Development:
Recent International
Opportunities
Panamanian Cold Chain Development:
Cooperative project with USM and
selected other entities to determine
feasibility of Panama as vegetable
supplier and pre-approved port
of entry into US Gulf Coast for
national distribution.
International Research&
Outreach Opportunities
Engineering
Agriculture
Forestry
Environment &
Water
Health & Nutrition
Remote Sensing
Disaster Mitigation
Policy/Economic
Development
Responder Training
Alternative Fuels
International Institute
Opportunities to become more involved
in international food and agriculture
projects prompted Dr. Mark Keenum
to propose that we consider creating
a campus-wide International Institute
that would encompass these and
other strengths at MSU.
Coordination of International
Activities
Creating an International Institute
provides the opportunity to foster
coordination of international research,
outreach, and academic activities at
MSU.
The Questions: How to organize? And
how far-reaching should the Institute
be?
Advantages of Closer Coordination
Clearer image of our international
commitment
Efficiency of program delivery
Better risk management
Prioritize & promote synergy
Organized alignment with, & ID of,
governmental and NGO partners
Promote nimbleness & responses
More competitive in extramural funding
International Institute
Focused on research and outreach
University-wide institute, with a
Director, reporting jointly to VPs for
ORED, DAFVM, and Provost
Close cooperation with other
international programs and offices on
campus
International Council
Brings all relevant international program
leadership together
Focus on strengthening coordination of
all international efforts through
improved communication and
collaboration
International Council
International
Institute
(Research and
Outreach)
International
Services
(Student/Faculty
Support)
Academic
Programs