Office of International Programs’ 2023 IPUTL Symposium considered 'the best investment of professional funds'

The Office of International Programs hosted the International Perspectives on University Teaching and Learning Symposium in May at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. During the three-day event, a diverse community of teaching and learning professionals, international educators, policy makers, administrators and researchers gathered to network, collaborate and engage in discussions on internationalization in higher education.

“The 2023 IPUTL Symposium is the best investment of my professional development funds I have made in several years,” said Kenneth Games, Indiana State University. “The content was engaging, timely and addressed real opportunities in the internationalization of teaching and learning. I've already been able to take what I've learned and bring it back to my institution.”

The symposium covered a wide range of international teaching and learning topics relevant to institutions and their constituents across the globe. The keynote speakers were Karen McBride, president and founder of Bound International, LLC (“Re-Imagining Sustainability in International Education”), and William Buskist, distinguished professor emeritus of Psychology (“Global Perspectives on Universal Principles of Excellent College and University Teaching”).

In addition, IPUTL hosted two keynote panel sessions. The first, “Reviewing the Situation: Landscapes of International Education,” was led by Michael Woolf, deputy president for strategic development at CAPA Global Education Network; Marina Casals Sala, director of international relations at Universitat Rovira i Virgili; Markus Laitinen, head of international affairs at the University of Helsinki; Shinnosuke Obi, professor at Keio University; and Dr. Lavern Samuels, director of international education and partnerships at Durban University of Technology and president of the International Education Association of South Africa. The second panel, “What’s Next: How to Internationalize Our Own Teaching and Learning Skills, Products and Networks,” was led by James Groccia, professor emeritus of higher education; Aferdita Krasniqi, outreach and recruitment specialist at the Institute of International Education; Catherine Wehlburg, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Athens State University; and Pamela Maimer, senior program manager at the U.S. Department of State.

In addition to the keynote presentations/panels, professionals representing 35 different colleges and companies across 12 countries shared their perspectives on internationalization in teaching and learning to assist their colleagues in developing actionable ideas to bring back to their respective institutions. The presentations and roundtable sessions included topics such as converting student international experiences into case studies; developing cultural competence; launching and managing successful partnerships in higher education; teaching preparation for graduate students; creating affordable study abroad programs; transformational active learning experiences; and 360-degree immersive video for internationalizing teaching and learning.

Throughout the symposium, professionals just as diverse as their topics gathered to cultivate ideas, communicate effective strategies and foster friendships. Of the attendees that completed a post-symposium survey, 100% reported that they were satisfied with their experience and 82% reported that they were likely to attend the next symposium.

“Cross-cultural collaboration is essential to effectively enhancing higher education institutions,” said Andrew Gillespie, assistant provost for International Programs. “The Office of International Programs developed this conference for the purpose of cultivating knowledge on leadership in internationalizing teaching and learning in the United States and abroad.”

The next International Perspectives on University Teaching and Learning Symposium will be held in summer 2025. Exact dates and location are being determined and will be announced on the symposium website. To learn more about IPUTL and to stay informed on future events, follow and engage on Facebook and Twitter.