Summer brings a world of visitors to ACES to strengthen global partnerships
Building on its longstanding commitment to global partnerships, the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) hosted several delegations and visitors from around the world this summer.
“A majority of our faculty are internationally engaged; one third of our students study abroad and many of our graduate students conduct research abroad. Welcoming partner institutions and collaborators to the Urbana campus in person helps us grow these relationships. This past spring and summer has been particularly busy with hosting, and we’re excited to see what mutually beneficial projects result,” said Mary Arends-Kuenning, associate dean of international programs for ACES.
To cap off the busy season of visits, a delegation from South Korea’s Chungbuk National University met with ACES and university leadership to explore additional educational and research cooperation between the institutions.
“Hosting the Chungbuk delegation highlighted how international connections can become full circle with our international students remaining connected to Illinois after returning to their home countries. Crop Sciences Professor D.K. Lee’s former student is now a faculty member at Chungbuk, and our universities are already working together to develop crops that are more resilient to climate change. This visit will result in additional collaborations between the universities,” said Lauren Karplus, associate director for ACES International programs.
ACES’ other recent visitors have included:
- The French Consulate in Chicago
- Sri Lanka’s University of Peradeniya
- DLG North America - Germany/Canada
- Guatemala’s University del Valle de Guatemala
- Indonesia’s Universitas Sebelas Maret
- Japan’s Kyushu University
- Brazil’s Sumitomol
- State Department International Visitor’s Leadership Program – Chile and Argentina
- India’s IIT Roorke
- National Taiwan University
The ACES Office of International Programs helps coordinate international visits by working with faculty and campus and community partners to set up meetings that optimize the visitors’ time on campus and make lasting connections.
Significant collaborations are already underway with many of this summer’s visitors.
“Peradeniya is currently conducting field trials of soybean varieties from the Soybean Innovation Lab and testing their soymeal feed with Animal Sciences Professor Carl Parsons. David Rosch, associate professor of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications, has collaborated with Hyunjung Bang of Kyushu on her research on study abroad experiences. These are just a few of the collaborations which resulted from international visits,” said Karplus.
Beyond the scheduled meetings, getting to know and becoming friends with people from around the world is rewarding for everyone who interacts with the visitors.
“Providing hospitality and facilitating the right meetings and cultural experiences truly builds a global community we all benefit from,” Karplus said.