TTU, along with other universities in the Tennessee Board of Regents system, is increasing emphasis on the global aspects of higher education and research. The current TBR strategic plan includes a call to institutions:

Internationalize curricula, facilitate faculty and student exchanges, coordinate financial strategies, increase study abroad opportunities, encourage sister university relationships, increase faculty international research, develop selective degrees and concentrations with an international focus, and take other steps to increase understanding of global concepts and other cultures (p.5, “Setting New Directions”).

President Bob Bell says every student’s opportunity to study abroad is a good example of how the university is more focused than ever on broadening student and community international understanding.

“This blend of academic and career experience is a great example of how the university can improve interest, understanding and appreciation of other cultures,” said Bell.

But Study Abroad programs aren’t enough to increase global understanding, according to Charles Wilkerson, director of International Student Affairs at Tech.

“We must bring international students here. Now, only 10 percent of students consider studying abroad. Of those, only 1 percent go,” he explained. “We are trying to bring an international sense here through interaction with foreign students.”

When Wilkerson joined Tech four years ago, little more than 100 international students were at Tech, mostly graduate students. Now, more than 500 from 65 different countries attend Tech with the majority being undergraduate students.

But it isn’t just students (pp.8-11) who are part of the global impact of Tech. Faculty members participate in international research (p.13) and the international Fulbright Scholar program (p.16).

“We are focusing more on giving all our students, undergraduates and graduates, the knowledge, perspectives and skills they need to succeed in international environments,” said Bell. “And with our faculty conducting research and teaching on an international scale, Tech has an impact not only statewide and nationally, but internationally as well. We are placing our students and university in better positions to help the businesses and organizations in Tennessee to expand their reach to the rest of the world.”