WTCS Standing Committee on International Education Update – Fall 2007

WTCS International Committee Current Work and Accomplishments:

1.   China Professional Development Tour: In order to target the needs of our districts to address the emerging markets and manufacturing base in China, the WTCS International Education Committee coordinated a two-week program for WTCS employees and administrators May 18 - June 2.  The program traveled to Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, touring manufacturing facilities, educational institutions, businesses, and important cultural locations.  A second tour is tentatively planned for similar dates in 2008.

2.   Hessen, Germany Exchange: Cooperation with Wisconsin’s sister state of Hessen, Germany continues. In May 2007, a delegation of WTCS faculty traveled to Germany as part of a reciprocal exchange program active since 1999.   In September and October 2007, WTCS districts will host three separate delegations of German educators, administrators and political officials.

3.   OSEAS Advisors Visit: In May 2007, Wisconsin was selected by Education USA, the national network of overseas advisors, to host delegates from overseas advising centers. Delegates learned about the WTCS system and discussed ways to recruit international students to study at WTCS colleges.

4.   Summer Institute for International Education and Service Learning: Madison Area Technical College hosted a two-day conference June 20-21, 2007.  The Institute included training opportunities for internationalization of the curriculum, service learning, and international student services. 

5.   Collaboration with Student Services Administrators (SSA): The WTCS International Education Committee and the SSA have been cooperating to improve services for international students at district campuses.  Efforts for continued cross-representation between committees and mutual support in areas of international student enrollments and international education issues are planned for the future.

6.   Visiting Fulbright Scholar: For a second time, WTCS has been selected by the Fulbright “Direct Access to the Muslim World” program to host a visiting Muslim scholar.  In Spring 2008, this scholar will travel to multiple WTCS districts to deliver guest lectures, assist faculty in efforts to internationalize courses or units, and serve as a cultural ambassador. 

7.   Global Education Conference: For a second year, the WTCS International Education Committee, in partnership with UW-System, the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (WAICU), and the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) will co-sponsor a state-wide, multi-system Global Education Conference. The event will take place October 14-16, 2007 in Green Lake, WI. See details and registration online at: http://www.uwsa.edu/acss/ie/events/Conf2007.htm

8.   International Business Education Symposium: On November 27, 2007 the WTCS International Education Committee will host a day-long symposium on International Business Education in the Wisconsin Technical College System.  The event will be held at Madison Area Technical College and will include opportunities for faculty, deans, and business and industry liaisons from throughout the WTCS to network with one another and hear presentations from key organizations and offices that can support business education efforts.

Legislative Alert:

The US Legislature has introduced the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation Act of 2007 (H.R. 1469, S.991). This legislation would create a national program to establish study abroad as the norm, not the exception, for undergraduate students.  The bill particularly targets community and technical colleges, setting aside funding specifically for the development of short-term study programs targeting two-year college students who do not typically participate in study abroad. The concept of the legislation is based on the vision of the late Senator Paul Simon and establishes the recommendations put forth by the Commission on the Abraham Lincoln Study Abroad Fellowship Program.  WTCS advocacy staff should be briefed about this bill, which if implemented, could provide significant resources for WTCS international education efforts.

For more information on any of the items above, please contact Geoff Bradshaw,

WTCS International Education Committee Chair, at gbradshaw@matcmadison.edu or (608) 246-6165.