Illinois International News
Illinois International News is a collection of globally-focused blogs and stories from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

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  • Behind Alma Mater are figures of a woman representing “learning” and a man depicting “labor” joining hands. Together they symbolize the University’s motto, “Learning and Labor.” Alma Mater, the beloved bronze mother figure that has greeted generations of University of Illinois students, graces the entry way to the campus. Alma Mater, which was created by sculptor Lorado Taft, is a 10,000-pound statue depicting a mother-figure wearing academic robes, bearing a plaque that reads, "To thy happy children of the future, those of the past send greetings.” Photo taken at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. (Photo by Fred Zwicky / University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign)

    Application cycle opens for Global South Fellowship program

    Apr 16, 2026 10:00 am

    CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Applications are now being accepted for the 2026-2027 Global South Fellowship Program. 

    This fellowship, which is a Birmingham-Illinois Partnership for Discovery, Engagement, and Education (BRIDGE) initiative, enables visiting fellows to come to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign or the University of Birmingham to conduct research and advance their scholarly work.  

  • Photo shows students walking in front of the College of Education on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus.

    Q&A: Global South Fellow reflects on collaborations, experience gained through Illinois program

    Apr 8, 2026 9:00 am

    Abebaw Yirga Adamu, a professor in higher education and the director of quality assurance at Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia, said he has connected with and engaged with more people than he initially anticipated during his tenure as a Global South Fellow. 

  • 2026 International Achievement Award recipients announced

    Mar 31, 2026 10:00 am

    The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Illinois International are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025-2026 International Achievement Awards, which recognize outstanding alumni, faculty, and students whose exceptional work, service, and/or scholarship has made a significant, global impact. 

  • system emblem on sign

    University of Illinois System and the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) issue joint call for research proposals

    Mar 9, 2026 5:30 pm

    The University of Illinois System and the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) have issued a joint call for proposals for a seed funding research program for the 2026–2027 academic year. The program will fund projects in four thematic areas: Food, Health, Water, and Energy. The overarching goal is to contribute towards solving problems related to poverty, the environment, and sustainable well-being.