Jennifer Batten

Memorial University of Newfoundland has released the Strategic Internationalization Plan 2020, a plan with specific recommendations to guide the university in the implementation of a wide range of ambitious international and intercultural initiatives over the next several years.

Open consultations with the university community were completed in fall 2014 and the final plan was approved by Memorial’s Board of Regents on Feb. 5. The full plan is available at www.mun.ca/vpacademic/sip2020.php. 

The plan builds upon the university’s current international initiatives and assets, and aligns with the Teaching and Learning Framework, Research Strategy Framework, Public Engagement Framework, the Enrolment Plan 2020 and the Strategic Research Intensity Plan 2014-20. The internationalization efforts detailed in the plan also support the province’s population growth strategy currently under development.

Implementation of the recommendations proposed in the plan will strongly enhance the university experience for students here and abroad and position Memorial’s students, faculty, researchers, staff and broader community for global success.

“For many years now, Memorial has been increasing its investment in internationalization, attracting, retaining and supporting students and faculty from all over the world,” said Dr. Noreen Golfman, provost and vice-president (academic), pro tempore. “This plan will bring focus and further intensity to our international efforts and help us leverage international opportunities to recruit students, enhance our learning environment and continue to serve as the province’s gateway to the world.”

Memorial plays a key leadership role in internationalization in Newfoundland and Labrador and Atlantic Canada, and has a long and distinguished history of involvement in international teaching, research and service at its St. John’s campus, the Marine Institute and Grenfell Campus. With faculty members, instructors and academic units actively engaged in international collaborations, award-winning programming for international students, leadership and vision in international graduate enrolment management through the School of Graduate Studies and a unique international offering through the Harlow Campus in England, Memorial continues to develop its presence as an important international player in higher education.

The recommendations in the Strategic Internationalization Plan 2020 will increase Memorial’s capacity for engagement in international activities with a thoughtful, strategic and co-ordinated approach.

“Attracting and retaining global talent to Memorial University will play a critical and essential factor in growing the province of Newfoundland and Labrador and leveraging our province’s many opportunities and resources,” said Dr. Ray Gosine, vice-president (research), pro tempore. “Each of the recommendations set out in the Strategic Internationalization Plan 2020 will set the stage for a wide range of ambitious international and intercultural activities that will increase Memorial’s value proposition and produce new opportunities for growth for our province.”

The seven recommendations proposed in the plan are outlined below. See the full plan for detailed actions and timelines associated with each recommendation. 

1. Educating global citizens: Develop intercultural competencies in all students, faculty members and personnel.

2. Attracting and retaining global talent: Aggressively strengthen all structures and processes for attracting and retaining international students, faculty members and other personnel.

3. Enhancing the Memorial value proposition: Better articulate, market and communicate Memorial’s value proposition to enhance its attractiveness and strengthen international student enrolment. 

4. Structuring for success: Transition the International Centre to an Internationalization Office, reporting to the provost, led by a director, with an institutional mandate to facilitate, co-ordinate, promote and monitor international activities, and to ensure the successful implementation of the Strategic Internationalization Plan 2020. The director will serve as Memorial University’s senior internationalization officer and will provide vision, leadership and support to units involved in international research, teaching and engagements. The office will be responsible for liaising and communicating with provincial, regional, national and international bodies on international issues, in particular ensuring Memorial’s responsiveness to the province’s population growth strategy. The national search for a director will begin immediately, led by a committee appointed by the provost and vice-president (academic).

5. Aiming for global impact: Position Memorial to attract international research collaborations, and develop successful international projects and consultancies.

6. Internationalization of the curriculum: All academic programs, at all campuses, in particular on Memorial’s Harlow, England, campus, will support internationalization in their learning outcomes.

7. Tracking progress: Design and implement updated, centralized data collection and tracking processes and systems of all internationalization initiatives, including such elements as the nature and type of each initiative, participants, units, outputs and outcomes. Identify suitable metrics for tracking Memorial University’s progress in achieving the objectives of the Strategic Internationalization Plan 2020.

For more information, please contact Jennifer Batten, communications co-ordinator, Office of the Provost and Vice-President (Academic), Memorial University, at 709.864.4873, 709.727.2178 or jbatten@mun.ca.