Bulletin

Issue: June 2005

News

INU initiative boosts study abroad options

Greater opportunities for students to study abroad were among a number of exciting new initiatives at a recent meeting of the Executive of the International Network of Universities (INU) held at James Madison University in Virginia, USA.

Professor Osborne, left, with Dr Linwood
H Rose, President of James Madison
University, USA, an INU partner.

As well as the enhancement of student mobility programs, other initiatives included the development of a multilateral 'shadowing program' for administrative staff; several benchmarking projects including learning and teaching, focusing initially on 'innovative teaching' best practice within INU partner universities; and participation in a major international project to evaluate the experiences of students who undertake study abroad.

The INU currently comprises thirteen universities located in Europe, Asia, North America and Australia under the presidency of La Trobe University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Osborne.

Professor Osborne said: 'International consortia are vital instruments for the internationalisation of academic programs that must be an indispensable feature of the modern university.'

He recently awarded scholarships to twenty-eight La Trobe University students to assist them to undertake a semester abroad in six of the INU partner universities.