INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS & STUDY ABROAD The CVMBS International Programs office encourages faculty and students to look beyond our borders and to be problem solvers on an international scale through education and research. Under the leadership of Dr. Linda Logan, the office facilitates ongoing and new education abroad opportunities, international student and faculty exchange, and CVMBS contributions to international development projects. The program also provides mentorship and guidance for students interested in international experiences and careers. As for many parts of the college, this year has presented several unique challenges to International Programs including several programs being canceled as part of the University-wide response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Only 28 of the expected 85 students traveled as part of faculty-led education abroad programs and one group of those students had to return home early from a semester-long program in Germany. Despite these setbacks, the CVMBS continued to participate in international development projects and hosted a number of international visitors from South Africa, Mali, Italy, and Burkina Faso bringing the world to Aggieland.
International Program Advisory Committee (IPAC) Composed of faculty members from across the CVMBS, the IPAC manages a number of annual travel awards for students and faculty and provides strategic inputs for strengthening ongoing international programs. With the Dean’s concurrence, department heads appoint two faculty members per department for three-year terms. IPAC members then elect the committee chair annually. Currently, Dr. Jan Suchodolski holds the chair position. In FY20, the IPAC issued travel awards enabling 19 students to attend facultyled programs in Costa Rica, Taiwan and Germany; two students to defray costs for independent education abroad programs to China and Spain; and two faculty members to build upon international research collaborations in South Africa and Mexico.
Dr. Ko with dolphin at Yehliu Ocean World
Study Abroad Opportunities Since 2013, the number of BIMS, DVM, and CVMBS graduate students enrolled in study abroad opportunities has increased. A 2020 milestone, Dr. Gladys Ko took her first Aggie cohort to Taiwan during the winter break. In addition to CVMBS students, our faculty-led programs served students from major programs across the university including Animal Sciences, Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences, Marine Biology, and Biology.
2020 Aggie cohort on the beach in Taiwan
The following international programs were offered this year: Costa Rica Biomedical Science Semester (Fall) During this semester-long experience, BIMS students live and study at the Soltis Center in Costa Rica under the guidance of Dr. Donald Brightsmith. The trip includes coursework in genetics, microbiology, ecology, Spanish, and biomedical writing. The students also live with host families for three weeks improving their cross-cultural understanding and communication skills. Taiwan Marine Mammal Anatomy (Winter) Dr. Gladys Ko offers this program during the winter break for students interested in marine mammal anatomy and physiology. In addition to cultural excursions, students get hands-on experience at the Taipei Zoo (Taipei City), Yehliu Ocean World (Yehliu), and Marine Biology & Cetacean Research Center, National Cheng Kung University (NCKU; Tainan City), Taiwan. Germany Biosciences Semester (Spring) Led by Dr. Jeremy Wasser, this program is offered to biomedical science and bioengineering majors. In addition to coursework, the program includes a semesterlong biomedical science/bioengineering project in collaboration with a German biotechnology company offering real-world experience in research and design. It also
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