MONTGOMERY – Gov. Robert Bentley has signed a proclamation commending Troy University for its leadership in international education.
The proclamation, signed in conjunction with International Education Week which runs Nov. 17-21, recognized TROY as “Alabama’s International University.” Nearly 800 international students representing 75 different nations are enrolled on the University’s Troy Campus. Some of those students were present for the proclamation signing ceremony in the Old House Chamber of the State Capitol.
“At Troy University, we embrace the mission to prepare our students to be globally competitive, and I don’t believe you can be globally competitive unless you are globally aware,” said Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor. “We must understand the people of the world in order to appreciate them.”
Troy University’s commitment to international education goes well beyond the state and country’s borders. In October, Dr. Hawkins conferred nearly 200 degrees to TROY students studying at three partner institutions in Vietnam. The partnerships with universities in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City began in 2002, and in 2008, TROY became the first U.S. institution to award the baccalaureate degree in Vietnam.
“Given the global nature of higher education, our U.S. universities are more reliant on partnerships with international universities than at any time in our history,” Dr. Hawkins said. “The university of the future will be built on these partnerships.”
TROY is also home to the Confucius Institute, which promotes the study of Chinese language and culture in Alabama and seeks to forge economic ties between the state and China. In 2012, TROY’s Confucius Institute, the only one in Alabama with a statewide mission, was named a Confucius Institute of the Year.
The University has enjoyed a long relationship with higher education institutions in China. In 2000, TROY initiated the 1-2-1 Sino-American Dual Degree program through partnership with Chinese universities. The program enables students at partner institutions to spend their first year studying at their home institution before coming to TROY for their next two years of study. Students then return to their home institution for their final year, and upon graduation, they receive degrees from both their home institutions and TROY.
In 2004, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities joined the partnership with TROY and the China Center for International Education Exchange and used the 1-2-1 program as a model for other AASCU-member schools.
The Governor’s proclamation commended the University’s International Student Cultural Organization for the role it plays on campus and Troy University as a whole for its leadership in the area of international education.
“The International Student Cultural Organization at Troy University is to be commended for its role in bringing people from all nations and cultures together for mutual understanding and appreciation,” the proclamation reads. “Troy University, as Alabama’s International University, is to be commended for its leadership role in international education.”
