Dear Colleagues:
I am pleased to announce that the forthcoming academic year will be the Year of PittGlobal.
As stated in Embracing the World: A Global Plan for Pitt, “For those of us in higher education, global engagement is not a choice. It is an imperative. We are a world coming closer together, so we need to engage and connect more than ever before. We believe that the world at its healthiest is an exchange of ideas and values, and our responsibility is to keep this exchange flowing.”
It is my hope that the Year of PittGlobal will highlight Pitt’s position as a global university engaged in research, policy creation, student and faculty mobility, and partnerships that promote mutual understanding and contribute to make the world a better place.
We are creating a committee of faculty, staff, and students to coordinate the Year of PittGlobal, harnessing the creativity and expertise of schools, campuses, departments, and other units across the University. I ask that you begin working within your area to identify programs and projects that will incorporate international perspectives. I suggest that you create new or utilize existing committee structures to support your efforts.
We anticipate lively discussions and events related to the Year of PittGlobal. To encourage these efforts, my office will provide matching funds (up to $5,000 per initiative) to support lectures, workshops, and other events focused on global engagement. An online form for submissions will be available here.
Please share this message with your faculty and staff and encourage them to apply. Please visit the Year of PittGlobal Web site for further information.
Thank you in advance for your efforts to make this a successful initiative. I look forward to working with you in the months ahead.
Sincerely,
Patricia E. Beeson