As research and teaching in higher education have become increasingly global, multicultural, and multidisciplinary, so has the need to facilitate opportunities for students and faculty to develop skills and competencies necessary for success in this environment, through study abroad and international project-based learning experiences.

In response, the College of Engineering has launched the Academy for Global Engineering, a community of research and practice to improve experiential learning on a global scale.

“The university’s strategic framework prioritizes experiential learning, including study abroad and internships,” said Glenda Scales, associate dean for global engagement in the College of Engineering and executive director of the academy. “It’s the right time to launch the academy as a new home for assessment research, program development, and grant incubation in global engineering education.”

Glenda Scales
Glenda Scales

The academy will develop new courses with international partners, support innovative global programs, and publish education assessment research, said Scales. “We value the curiosity of engineers who explore and reflect on cultural contexts as they address technical problems."

The Academy for Global Engineering will convene faculty and graduate student fellows from across disciplines within and beyond engineering, including engineering education; planning, governance, and globalization; and science, technology, and society. These researchers have a shared interest in global engineering education, research, and program development. They will engage in collaborative and multidisciplinary research on international learning programs and facilitate opportunities for capacity building in global engineering education by sharing best practices and hosting research-to-practice conversations.

For instance, programs like the college’s award-winning Rising Sophomore Abroad Program, the largest study abroad program at the university, have generated a wealth of information for assessment research and serve as catalysts for developing innovative global programs.

Written by Michelle Soledad

Share this story