Puru Purushotham's comments:

As an outside participant in the Global Engagement and International Education Task Force, it would be useful to get calibrated on the 'current state' of RIT community's (faculty and student body) level of global awareness on both the 'substantive' and 'perceptual' dimensions. Given the impressive growth and transformation of RIT in the past decade, it would be helpful to start with an appreciation of improvements in these dimensions in recent years. What are some success stories in RITs efforts toward internationalization (such as International campuses, international studies, study abroad? for example). I am sure that the Task force is starting from a good position to further enhance RITs role globally.

Regards,

Puru

Puru,

I will pull together some data on various measures of where we stand.  We do not have good data on the faculty perspective and capabilities.  We are committed to doing a survey but we are wary of "survey fatigue" and also believe the representation our committee can provide us good insight into a range of faculty perspectives and capability.  Ultimately, we will need to do a survey/inventory of faculty interests, skills, and perspectives.

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Jim and Zach,

I realize this is an 11th hour comment/suggestion. Maybe the train has left the station. Anyway, earlier in the year we discussed collecting existing global experience data at the Institute. I still think this would be a good idea. It would be helpful if a database was created and maintained for students, faculty, and staff. It would be a resource for people who are initiating some international activity whether it be a study abroad, scholarly activity, or curricular adventure. Students and faculty would be able to touch base with other students who have gone to a particular university or country. I think students could use it for good housing, eating, or experiential advice. I know I found it incredibly useful to discuss faculty led study abroad with someone who had recently completed an SA at the same location.

Currently, I'm thinking of collaborating with similar programs in other countries to develop student design teams for a capstone project. I have no direct contacts in civil engineering programs in other countries..., not that I can remember. CAST has a relationship with Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) that I will follow-up on. Other than DIT, I am left with making "cold calls". I am NOT complaining. I'm just suggesting that an Institute wide database, might provide a couple contacts who might have some connection with RIT or someone working who now works here.

Like I said, maybe the train has left the station trying to resuscitate this idea for the strategic plan. Goal #4 seems like a plausible home for the strategy.

Cheers,

Scott

Jim,

Absolutely. Thanks.

Scott