Special to The Times
INTO UAB, an initiative launched by the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2016 to increase the global diversity of the student body and global opportunities for domestic students, and provide prospects for faculty to expand international teaching, research and service activities, opened its new campus space.
Faculty, students, administration and staff held the grand opening of the INTO UAB Center on April 13, on the second floor of the Mervyn Sterne Library, where the newly renovated space designed for the program will help enrich the learning experience for all students and the campus community.
“The grand opening of the new INTO UAB Center is a celebration,” said Senior Vice Provost and Senior International Officer Suzanne Austin, “of the strong collaboration among each of UAB’s schools along with the College of Arts and Sciences and the support services provided by Student Affairs and additional units from across the university — each of which helped support the introduction and implementation of this center.”
Austin says this is an opportunity to celebrate the international students who choose to make UAB their academic home and community, and to celebrate current UAB students who warmly welcome new students.
“We have an incredible INTO UAB team that is creating a supportive community that is committed to helping international students succeed academically and seamlessly integrate into the UAB community,” she said.
The INTO UAB Center houses 14 classrooms, a Learning Resource Center, INTO UAB staff and faculty offices, and UAB International Student and Scholar Services offices. Here, international students can find academic preparation, English language training, admissions support, recruiting and student services available to them. A multifaith prayer room, student lounge and several study areas also are available at the center.
INTO UAB, an initiative that is part of the Office of Global Engagement, provides English language training and pathway programs for international students who may not meet the requirements for direct entry in order to succeed in an undergraduate or graduate program at UAB. Upon successful completion of an INTO UAB Pathway Program, students gain full admission into one of the university’s undergraduate or graduate programs to complete their studies.
In its first semester of operation this past fall, 99 percent of Pathway students progressed to UAB after completing the Accelerated 1-Semester Pathway Program.
Further questions on INTO UAB can be sent to INTOadmissions@uab.edu.
