MSU Denver faculty who have taught overseas, visiting professors and others with an interest in international studies are invited to exchange experiences and ideas in a new forum on global education.

The Higher Education in a Global Context Mentoring group was organized by Andrew Thangasamy, assistant professor of political science, and Ali Thobhani, executive director of the Office of International Studies. It is funded with a mini-grant from the Center for Faculty Development.

The group held its second luncheon meeting earlier this month and heard from Thobhani about the partnerships the University has with institutions in China, Ethiopia, India, Hungary and Albania. A MSU Denver delegation visited universities in the latter two countries last month.

The global education group will encourage broader classroom discussions about issues related to education in a globalized world, promote collaborative research relationships, and possibly generate new courses, according to the grant application to the Center for Faculty Development.

 “We’re thinking of how to bring in the international aspects of education to the campus and also be aware of trends that are happening globally,” Thangasamy says.

Thobhani hopes the initiative will connect faculty members interested in global education and promote more study-abroad opportunities.

“International education has been identified nationally as a priority,” he says. “Considering the great role the U.S. plays in the global community, it is obviously better to have educated people who are knowledgeable about the world.”

The group’s next luncheon meeting is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 1, noon-2 p.m. For more information on the Higher Education in a Global Context Mentoring group contact Thangasamy by clicking here.