Iowa State University
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Global Engagement and the College of Agriculture

How do we pursue our global vision?

Our college strategic plan addresses global engagement in Theme 4 entitled Global Programs:

Goal # 1: Strengthen strategic partnerships with institutions in other countries

In order to improve the College’s effectiveness in carrying out its mission, Global Agriculture Programs and its Faculty Advisory Committee selected strategic international partners with whom we will focus the majority of our College-led international activities. Our purpose in pursuing strategic international partnerships is to enhance agricultural higher education and research at Iowa State University and partner institutions and to promote knowledge generation and utilization for food security and environmental sustainability to benefit people throughout the world. To achieve this purpose we will develop and maintain strong, strategic partnerships with institutions in the following countries.

In addition to these College-wide partners, departments and individual faculty have developed mutually beneficial linkages with institutions and individuals throughout the world.

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Goal # 2: Prepare students for working and living in a diverse, globally interdependent world

We can improve student learning by providing opportunities for study and work abroad. In keeping with the university’s increased emphasis on undergraduate education, the College has expanded the number of students studying abroad by 500% over the course of 6 years. In 2004-05 we are offering study abroad opportunities in over 20 countries on all 7 continents. With this impressive progress we are now second in the nation among Colleges of Agriculture in the number of undergraduates we send abroad. Yet, much work remains as only 7% of our undergraduate students go abroad each year and 75% of those studying abroad participate in programs of less than 3 months duration.

Pursuing goals 1 and 2 above will help us strengthen our global connections that in turn will help us to improve the quality of our programs. In addition to those listed under Goals 1 and 2 above the following strategies will be employed.

First, we can enhance faculty and staff development through short study trips focused on specific themes. Recent faculty and staff development trips have focused on value added agriculture in Italy, food safety in England and Belgium, sustainable and organic agriculture in Cuba and grain production in Brazil. Such investments keep our faculty and staff up-to-date with trends around the world and permit them to bring these lessons learned back to the classroom and lab.

Second, we can increase scientific engagement through a variety of mechanisms. These may include exchanges of scientists, cooperative research, sharing of data, exchange of germplasm, and other such mechanisms. An interesting example of efficiency gained through international involvement can be found in the use of winter nurseries to expedite crop breeding programs.

Third, we can help to serve the needs of international partner institutions. This is in line with the long ISU tradition of assisting developing countries as well as countries in transition, generally with support from external sources. The College of Agriculture is not a funding source for development activities; however, competitiveness in international grant and contract competition can be enhanced when ISU faculty and host country partners work together.

Fourth, we can contribute to Iowa economic development. This can be done by bringing international visitors to the state, helping to create linkages with potential trading partners, conducting research on international topics that directly impact Iowa, and by linking with Iowa businesses and government units and non-governmental institutions that are actively engaged internationally. We can contribute to the state’s economy through two-way technology flows whereby Iowa simultaneously contributes and benefits from technology exchange.

Fifth, we will organize administratively to support student, faculty and staff involvement internationally. In our College, the office of Global Agriculture Programs coordinates our global engagement activities. The mission of Global Agriculture Programs in the College of Agriculture is to provide leadership and service in globalizing learning, discovery, and engagement programs that serve the people of the state, the nation and the world.

The GAP staff:

Next section: How will global engagement be valued?