ACES launches global classroom with Sri Lanka's University of Peradeniya
With a strategic location in the Indian Ocean and a tropical climate that allows for year-round cultivation of diverse crops, the island country of Sri Lanka provides valuable opportunities for University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign students to learn, compare, and collaborate on topics of food and agribusiness management. A growing partnership with the country’s University of Peradeniya Faculty of Agriculture has inspired the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences to introduce a semester-long “global classroom” that concludes with a two-week faculty-led study abroad program to Sri Lanka for Illinois students during Spring 2026.
“We are hoping to increase undergraduate student mobility to South Asia. One proven way to build interest in a new region is to offer short-term faculty-led programs there,” says Ali Freter, director of ACES Study Abroad.
ACE 436, The International Business Immersion Program (IBIP) global classroom course with Peradeniya offers Illinois students the opportunity to work in virtual teams across countries to complete an industry-based project in the tea industry. Students will gain insight into global agribusiness management principles, reflect on cross-cultural competencies, and learn more about the language and culture of Sri Lanka. At the end of the semester, students will travel together to Sri Lanka to get firsthand experience of food and agribusiness management.
“Students who do these types of programs gain unique skillsets that they can apply in their future careers. We are already seeing these benefits from the previous courses with strategic partners in other countries.” says Meredith Blumthal, who as director of the food and agribusiness management program runs the annual IBIP program for ACES.
Beyond IBIP, ACES Study Abroad is working with Alicia Schneider, instructor in the Department of Animal Sciences, to explore an additional faculty-led program focusing on human-wildlife conflict and animal health and management practices with species native to Sri Lanka.
ACES has recently strengthened its faculty and research relationships with colleagues in Sri Lanka through many avenues including the ACES Global Academy’s focus on the country, The development of this new program has been supported and funded by the University of Illinois Vision 2030 Global Strategy Implementation Grant and the ACES Office of International Programs.