Texas A&M Ranked Among Top 25 Nationally For International Programs Aggies travel the world as part of the Study Abroad Program Texas A&M is once again ranked among the top 25 universities nationally in the number of international students enrolled, according to the 2014 “Open Doors” report – published from data collected for academic year 2012-2013 – by the Institute of International Education (IIE) in partnership with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. “Your campus will be included in both the ‘top 25’ list of campuses with the most international students in 2013/14, and the ‘top 25’ list for campuses with the most students studying abroad in 2012/13,” said Sharon S. Witherell, director of public affairs with IIE, in making the announcement to Texas A&M officials. Open Doors 2014 ranks Texas A&M 8th nationally for the total number of students sent abroad in credit bearing-programs – up from 13th last year. University officials say this is the highest ranking Texas A&M has ever achieved. For the same time period, Texas A&M was ranked 7th nationally for the number of students pursuing short term credit bearing study abroad opportunities. For national study-abroad rankings, Texas A&M officials say the university is now ranked higher than most of its Vision 2020 peer institutions. They add that the report shows progress regarding the issue of national rankings and also toward Texas A&M’s pledge to double the number of students studying abroad by 2018. That is part of the Generation Study Abroad national commitment made last year. The Open Doors 2014 report, released Monday (Nov. 17) at the start of International Education Week, also lists national rankings for the number of international students enrolled and the figures are based on 2013-2014 data. Texas A&M has ranked in the top 25 institutions nationally for approximately 20 years, officials note. “In the fall of 2012, Texas A&M had 4,750 international students enrolled,” said Bill Taylor, director of International Student Service. “That number has increased to 5,770 in 2014, an increase of more than 1,000 students in only two years.” That places Texas A&M once again in 24th position nationally. Data from the Institute for International Education also show that international students contributed approximately $1.3 billion to the Texas economy in expenditures during this same timeframe. Texas A&M officials note they have long recognized the value of a globally diverse campus and the value of study abroad programs. In addition to the commitment to the Generation Study Abroad pledge, university officials outlined a set of goals in the institution’s academic master plan and identified programs aimed at supporting high-impact practices for undergraduate students. International study programs are among these designated high-impact practices. Officials point to the university’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) called “Aggies Commit to Learning for a Lifetime.” The QEP describes a course of action for enhancing educational quality that focuses on learning outcomes and/or the environment supporting student learning. In it, the university commits to providing quality educational experiences for its students. “Our rapidly changing world needs people who can learn and keep learning, adapt to change and create new opportunities for themselves and others, said Jane Flaherty, directory of the university’s study abroad program. “By pursuing one of the university’s high-impact learning experiences, such as engaging in options outside the U.S or celebrating the diverse nature of the Texas A&M campus, students begin the process of lifetime learning.” Thanks to the efforts of the colleges, student organizations, and dedicated faculty, students from 171 countries are experiencing the highest quality undergraduate and graduate education, as well as the university’s unique traditions; Aggies studied interned, volunteered or conducted research in almost 90 countries, including the Texas A&M University at Qatar branch campus and the Soltis Center for Research and Education in Costa Rica. “We commend you on your success in preparing your students to be global citizens by hosting international students and encouraging your American students to study abroad,” said Witherell. The Open Doors report is available at iie.org/en/Research-and-Publications/Open-Doors
Posted on: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 17:55:00 +0000
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