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UVic is aiming to enhance its international activities and connections across the university community and on the world stage.
Everyone is invited to join in the dialogue for change, which may involve revising curricula, establishing an international space or focal point on campus, and funding more overseas study and research by students, staff and faculty.
"Making a World of Difference," a draft strategic plan outlining 14 objectives for furthering internationalization at the university over the next five years, was released by the office of international affairs (OIA) for consultation with the UVic community this month.
"For many years, UVic has had strong areas of international excellence, but the challenge now is to ensure that this strength and expertise permeates the experience of all our students, staff and faculty," says Jim Anglin, associate vice-president academic and student affairs, who also serves as director of international affairs.
"Our new plan seeks to define some strategic directions based on UVic's values and commitments, and to create the framework of programs and services necessary to address issues of global consequence."
The internationalization plan is based on UVic's Vision for the Future commitment to "a diverse and welcoming learning environment that informs and is informed by global realities and issues." The new international framework and objectives have evolved after a thorough, two-year consultation process with faculty, staff and students and contributions from the OIA working group on internationalization.
These global goals complement UVic's overall strategy that is currently being consulted on and updated.
Among other objectives, UVic intends to: appoint a new full-time director of international affairs; to double the numbers of students from UVic having study or work experiences abroad by 2010; provide project management and resource support for overseas research; and encourage a broader representation of visa students attending UVic.
"Today's reality is that universities have to achieve excellence on a global scale to attract resources, research funding and the most talented students and faculty," says Anglin. "This plan will help UVic develop the tools for adopting a world-minded perspective and a commitment to human betterment throughout the university's teaching, research and community-based activities."
The 25-page document has been distributed widely throughout the UVic community for comment. A copy is also available online at www.oia.uvic.ca.
Comments and suggestions on the plan are welcome and should be sent by e-mail to world@oia.uvic.ca or in writing to the office of international affairs, Continuing Studies Building, room 300.
The deadline for responses is
Feb. 28 so that a final draft of the plan can be submitted to the senate for consideration by May.
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