December 17, 2014, marked a historic moment for U.S.–Cuba relations. In response, IIE is pleased to announce the International Academic Partnership Program, focusing on increasing academic engagement between U.S. and Cuban higher education institutions. IAPP Cuba is the main component of the IIE Cuba Higher Education Initiative that was launched in February 2015. 

If your institution is seeking to develop strategic institutional partnerships with higher education institutions in Cuba, please consider applying for IIE’s International Academic Partnership Program. 

Over the course of 6 months, the IAPP Cuba Program will engage a select group of U.S. higher education institutions in a number of training activities focused on understanding the Cuban higher education system and exploring the potential for new academic partnerships. Since 2009, IAPP has engaged more than 80 U.S. higher education institutions in comprehensive programs aimed at increasing the number of partnerships between U.S. higher education institutions and their counterparts abroad. Past participants have increased their faculty exchanges, implemented institutional strategic plans, and expanded study abroad offerings. If you are interested in participating in this program, please contact Morgan Clark at mclark@iie.org or visit www.iie.org/iapp.

1. Strategic planning process 
2. Expert advice and guidance 
3. A study tour to Cuba 
4. A series of training webinars 
5. A suite of information resources

The Institute of International Education, on behalf of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ EducationUSA Advising Network, invites accredited U.S. post-secondary educational institutions (non-profit and for-profit), U.S. higher education associations, university systems, consortia, and qualified entities that meet provisions in IRS section 26 USC 501(c)(3) to submit proposals to be a Partner Organization for the second round of EducationUSA Leadership Institutes. Partner Organizations will develop and manage one or more EducationUSA Leadership Institute(s) for approximately15 mid- to upper-level foreign college or university administrators, Ministry of Education or other government officials, or other qualified participants from select countries and world regions. The Institutes consist of intensive, short-term academic programs that provide participants with the opportunity to deepen their understanding of U.S. higher education, develop the tools necessary to build capacity within their own systems, and engage with the U.S. higher education sector in effective, sustained ways. 

Applicants are invited to submit proposals to host one or more of the following Institutes (each proposed Institute must address only one of the following three topics):

1. Campus Internationalization: U.S. Graduate Education
2. Industry-Private Sector Linkages and Innovation: Energy Sector Partnerships
3. Campus Internationalization: Institutional Structures to Support Inbound and Outbound Student Mobility

Applicants are invited to submit proposals focusing on one or more of the above-mentioned topics.

Randi Butler, IIE’s Institutional Relations and Outreach Officer with the Gilman International Scholarship Program, explores reasons why first generation college students (FGCS) are underrepresented in most study abroad programs. "If we hope to double the number of college students studying abroad by 2020," writes Butler, "we need to do all we can to understand and support FGCS and their unique perceptions of the college experience, including studying and interning abroad."

IIE’s University Placement Services team provides university placement in support of programs administered by the Institute for U.S. Government, foreign government, corporate and foundation customers. The Director provides leadership and management of all placement activities, finances and staff consistent with overall organizational standards. S/he collaborates closely with other program units, liaises with customers, and provides external visibility for the team.  

The Institute works with NGOs, consultants, universities, and companies from around the globe to provide top-quality programming, goods, and services in support of IIE’s programs. Please visit our new webpage on Procurement and Sub-Award Opportunities regularly to view open solicitations for sub-awards, consultants, goods, and services.

Creative people are willing to consider alternatives to the way things are currently done and see things from multiple perspectives—two skills that are enhanced when immersed in a multicultural setting, Columbia University research shows. — FastCompany.com

This year’s Academic Cooperation Association (ACA) Annual Conference is dedicated to the theme of institutional internationalization strategies and their (successful) implementation. The Conference is expected to draw an audience of some 300, including central actors and decision-makers from universities and colleges as well as policy-makers and practitioners from government departments, international institutions, NGOs and think tanks.

The World Bank/Center for Mediterranean Integration MENA Regional Program on Higher Education is organizing the 4th International Conference focusing on development of information sharing mechanisms and systems to inform policy makers on improving governance and quality assurance in higher education in the MENA region. The conference is designed to provide an opportunity for participating universities and other tertiary education institutions from the MENA region and beyond to learn from each other’s experiences and to discuss a broad range of issues related to improving governance in tertiary education through information sharing and addressing issues of quality assurance and the employability of graduates. 

EducationUSA will host a pavilion at the European Association for International Education Conference (EAIE) and will provide space for accredited U.S. higher education institutions. This is an excellent opportunity to showcase your institution and especially to build partnerships with institutions in Europe and other world regions. With Erasmus+ funding available for short-term exchange programs, meeting colleagues from European institutions is easiest at EAIE which reaches more than 5,000 higher education professionals from over 90 countries, including 600 exhibitors. You can choose from more than 200 sessions and workshops and about 20 networking events. There is a registration fee for both full and part-time participation. Spaces fill up quickly.

Exceptional students, recent alumni, and young professionals are encouraged to apply for the inaugural class. Inspired by the Rhodes Scholarship, Schwarzman Scholars is a highly selective international scholarship program designed to prepare future leaders for success in a world where China plays a key global role. The program will give the world’s best and brightest students the opportunity to develop their leadership skills through a fully-funded one-year Master’s Degree at Tsinghua University—one of China’s most prestigious universities.

For those ready to make their mark on the world, Schwarzman Scholars is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to:

• Access World-Class Curriculum and Faculty
• Learn Beyond the Classroom and Experience the Real China
• Engage in Multi-Dimensional Leadership Training

The new Global Flex Award provides U.S. academics and professionals with the flexibility to engage in advanced regional or trans-regional research and/or teaching. As a truly worldwide award, U.S. scholars will be able to collaborate and engage in scholarly activities in two or three countries, in one or more regions. 

Projects are welcome in all disciplines, as well as those with an interdisciplinary focus. Proposals should reflect topics which would benefit from a global perspective and clearly demonstrate a need to spend time in each of the proposed countries.

Minimum length of the total grant is three months and the maximum is six months. Grants can begin as early as February 1, 2016 and segments may be conducted within one academic year or spread over two or three consecutive years.

The State Department announced seventeen researchers from the Arctic Council nations, including the United States, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Russia, as the inaugural cohort of the Fulbright Arctic Initiative. By engaging in collaborative thinking, analysis, problem-solving, and multi-disciplinary research over the next 18 months, the scholars will explore public-policy research questions and offer innovative solutions to the impact of climate change on the Arctic, particularly on the issues of water, energy, health, and infrastructure. 

The diverse group of scholars is comprised of specialists in a variety of disciplines ranging from geology and biology to law, sociology, global health, and art. Learn more about this first group of scholars.

For more information on the program, visit the Fulbright Arctic page.

On October 1-2, 2015, the inaugural IIE Summit will bring together Generation Study Abroad commitment partners in Washington, DC, to highlight their progress and create positive new solutions. 

A sneak peak at session topics include:

• Articulating the Career Relevance of Education Abroad
• Does Virtual Exchange Create a Pipeline to Study Abroad?
• Using Retention and Success Data to Reach Your Target
• The One Person Shop: Tools and Strategies for Tiny Offices
• Attracting Americans: Making the Most of International Partnerships
• Government Strategies for Outbound Students

Book your room now at the conference hotel for special negotiated rate. IIE has limited space reserved in the Grand Hyatt Hotel for accommodation for Summit participants. Hotel accommodation can be booked online through the conference registration site. Book early before they’re gone.

The May 1st deadline to join Generation Study Abroad in time for the next public announcement of partners during the 2015 NAFSA Conference is quickly approaching. We encourage your institution to make a commitment now and be part of this important initiative.

To date, more than 500 partners have joined and committed to take specific, measurable actions to expand study abroad opportunities for American students by the end of the decade. Partners so far include over 300 U.S. and foreign higher education institutions, as well as governments and exchange agencies, education associations, and other organizations. We are deeply grateful to those who have already made a commitment to expanding the number and diversity of students who study abroad.

Since its launch in March of last year, the campaign has already generated a great deal of awareness about the importance of U.S. student mobility and study abroad. Join today and with your help, future generations of Americans will be ready to succeed in the global economy. For more information, contact studyabroad@iie.org.

Following a very successful first round, a second round of Education New Zealand's travel awards is underway. The awards are part of the commitment to IIE's Generation Study Abroad initiative, designed to make a study abroad experience in New Zealand more attainable for U.S. students. Awards range from USD 500 to 2,000 to cover various study abroad expenses. The current crop of scholarship winners are busy documenting their time in New Zealand on Instagram.

The Israel Scholarship was born out of a partnership with the Hispanic Scholarship Fund and is intended to provide opportunities for the best and brightest of the Hispanic-American community to study abroad in Israel. Both graduate and undergraduate students are eligible for scholarships. The fund awards up to USD 3,000 scholarship prizes to qualified applicants. Additionally, many students may qualify for generous supplemental scholarships from Israeli universities.

The Institute of International Education's Scholar Rescue Fund (IIE-SRF) announces its next round of applications from scholars facing threats to their lives or academic work. Fellowships support temporary academic positions at colleges, universities, and other research institutions outside the scholars' home countries anywhere in the world. Professors, researchers, and public intellectuals from any country, field, or discipline may apply.

Sansom Milton’s article in the recent IIENetworker magazine discusses the importance and difficulties of rebuilding higher education institutions after war, using the example of Libya. "Higher education represented a major potential resource that could contribute towards ... the process of democratization and civil society development," writes Milton. "Many argue that higher education ... is critical to the long-term health of pluralistic and open societies."