About the Global Initiative (PDF)
The UT System Board of Regents Strategic Plan calls for expanded global competitiveness, increases in numbers of students studying abroad and international research and clinical activities. In 2006-07, the UT System:
- Developed outline of areas of focus to pursue in consultation with campus faculty and administrative leaders. General areas of focus suggested, to be refined/confirmed with campuses.
- Gathered information about existing campus activities to identify strategic gaps to be filled. Global activities surveys were distributed in early July 2007. This represents a major undertaking which will, for the first time, enable the System to understand its "global footprint" as well as patterns of strength, opportunities to leverage resources, and gaps to be filled. The results will be used for analysis, but also will serve as the basis for a Web-based information source that all campuses can utilize.
- Took initial steps to establish a global network. UT System and campus leaders are expanding contacts with institution, state, national, and international groups with experience in international studies, travel, research, and more.
- Appointed first UT System Director of Global Initiatives. Office beginning to function as point of contact to identify campus and external group mutual interests in particular opportunities.
- Appointed in fall 2007 a UT System Global Initiatives Advisory Group to consider, on an ongoing basis, priorities and resources, to identify and evaluate opportunities for the System to add value to campus global activities, and to help formulate and assess recommendations for specific actions.
- Completing and analyzing a System-wide institutional survey of global activities, resources, best practices, gaps; conducting research on best practices at other higher education institutions and Systems.
- Developing focused recommendations for System action: defining and selecting high-priority strategic areas; defining the range and priority of needs and opportunities: academic programs, research, clinical, etc.; considering opportunities for joint degree programs; identifying and evaluating opportunities for a UT System institution overseas academic program; enhancing the System capacity to assist with identifying and implementing international partnership agreements; partnering with institutions to develop particular program opportunities; improving policies to support global activities; developing a communication strategy to publicize internally and externally the UT System's global activities.
- Developing a System-wide clearinghouse of information and program contacts to share campus resources and facilitate cross-institution participation in study abroad and other international activities.
- Initiating and implementing a series of System-wide fora and activities on topics like: building institutional support for international activities; increasing flexible, affordable study abroad opportunities; globalization of the curriculum; reformulating foreign language study; recruitment of international students.
- Defining goals and metrics to track progress and impact of initiative, including: increased participation in study abroad; increased leverage of faculty international activities; increased number of major, cross-institution international ventures; exploration of UT System international location; increased understanding and recognition of the UT System's "global footprint"; and its impact on the state's economy and educational systems.
Report on Global Survey 2007-08
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