The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign joined the global education network, Universitas 21, on Oct. 1 making Illinois the fifth North American institution represented in our U21 network, as well as the first from the Midwest.
As a member university, Illinois students, faculty, and staff will have access to several unique opportunities in collaboration with institutions from more than 20 countries spanning six continents.
“It is a great honor to join Universitas 21 and be part of a global network of higher education institutions from more than 20 countries,” said Illinois Chancellor Robert J. Jones. “Fostering collaborative partnerships and global research networks allow Illinois to provide students, faculty, and staff with access to the transformative teaching, learning, and outreach experiences central to our institutional mission.”
U21’s activities fall into three areas of focus: education innovation, researcher engagement, and student experience. Within these three distinct areas, funding is allocated to support cross-member programs for students, faculty, and staff.
Such programs include early- and mid-career researcher workshops, online trainings, student internships, and leadership development courses among others. All member-led projects and programs aim to enrich education and research through internationalization and open dialogue.
"We are delighted to have (Illinois) join Universitas 21. Their widely welcomed addition to U21 further strengthens our global, diverse network and provides even more opportunities for the development of trusted partnerships across global research and education,” said Universitas 21 Provost Jenny Dixon. “Our shared values and commitments to sustainability and EDI support the network’s strategic goals to deliver positive societal impact. We look forward to engaging with the staff and students across our portfolio of programmes and communities of practice."
Reitumetse Obakeng Mabokela, associate chancellor and vice provost for global affairs and strategies at Illinois, said many U21 programs and initiatives seek to make progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which closely aligns with the university’s Vision 2030 Global Strategy.
“In our Vision 2030 Global Strategy, we outlined an institutional commitment to developing our university’s global initiatives in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals,” Mabokela said. “By nurturing an environment where innovation and research can transcend academic, cultural, and geopolitical boundaries, we expand the comprehensive global learning, teaching, and research environments necessary to achieve that vision.”
More information about opportunities for Illinois students, faculty, and staff will be shared on the U21 webpage of the Global Relations website. Questions about U21 and its opportunities may be directed to Global Relations in Illinois International at iip-globalrelations@illinois.edu.
To learn more about U21 and its priorities visit universitas21.com.