TRU World: The International Department at Thompson Rivers University

Mission

TRU World’s mission is to coordinate and facilitate international initiatives for the university in close collaboration with academic divisions and service areas. The diversity and scope of TRU’s international initiatives has positioned TRU as an international university. TRU World is committed to assisting academic divisions and service areas in their internationalization goals.

TRU divisions have undertaken many international initiatives. TRU World collaborates with service departments, Deans, Chairs, and faculty members in their implementation.

Initiatives include:

Integrating international students into TRU programs
Establishing field schools and opportunities for student exchange
Developing accredited programs abroad through institutional linkages
Facilitating the specialized transfer of international professionals
Launching development projects
Taking advantage of teaching and research opportunities at partner institutions

International students and clients have had positive experiences with TRU. This satisfaction and success has resulted in the growth in numbers of international students as well as projects and training opportunities. As a result, TRU World continues to grow and evolve.

In addition, several academic divisions have designated international project coordinators or committees in response to increased international activity. The Study Abroad Centre promotes exchange and international field school opportunities for Canadian students and faculty members.

Structure

TRU World is led by an Associate Vice-President, who reports directly to the President and Vice-Chancellor of TRU and works collaboratively with TRU’s Provost, Vice-President, Academic, and Vice-President, Finance and Administration. International initiatives are undertaken in collaboration with divisional Deans and departmental Directors. The Associate Vice-President of TRU World is a member of the President’s Council.

During the 2009-2010 academic year, TRU World will be led by team members that have stepped into interim roles during the search for a new Associate Vice-President.

TRU World’s Interim Associate Vice-President, Vera Wojna, and Interim Director, Baihua Chadwick, are responsible for TRU’s international portfolio which is composed of eight main components. Within each of these areas, there is scope for faculty involvement, as well as opportunities to receive support.

Associate Vice-President, TRU World
wkoczka@tru.caPhone: 250-828-5162

External Relations
International Marketing
Customized Training Programs
Strategic Business Operations
TRU World Departmental Operations
Development Projects

Director, TRU World
Baihua Chadwick
Phone: 250-371-5525

Internal Relations
International Student Affairs
Study Abroad Centre
China Marketing Strategy
Institutional Linkages and Accreditations

International Marketing
This unit promotes TRU worldwide. The team undertakes global market research and creates an array of promotional resources, including a dedicated website for international students and partners. The marketing team works with a worldwide network of over 1,000 overseas associates, governmental organizations, and educational counselling agencies.

International Marketing can provide faculty members travelling abroad for research or conferences with promotional or informational materials. In addition, the Marketing Manager can provide information to departments regarding trends in the marketplace that could support new program development. TRU World hosts familiarization tours for overseas agencies to become better informed about TRU and the region.

Chief Marketing Officer
Christopher Gas
URL: http://www.truworld.ca
Phone: 250-371-5959

Student Recruitment
Overseas Associate Network

Associate Director, International Marketing
Mike Henniger
Phone: 250-371-5765

Market Research
Promotional Materials
Marketing Operations
Student Recruitment

Institutional Linkages and Accreditations
This area manages the accreditation and joint delivery of programs with overseas institutional partners. There are currently over 1,000 students studying in TRU-accredited programs outside of Canada, predominantly in China, Malaysia, India, and Singapore. Academic divisions establish, implement, and provide quality assurance oversight for these programs.

More than 30 TRU instructors have helped facilitate these programs. There are opportunities for faculty members to teach in the overseas programs. In some cases, the teaching assignment can be undertaken between semesters, which can enhance its viability. Linkages can provide opportunities for international research and professional collaboration.

Associate Director, International Liaison
George Gong
URL: http://www.truworld.ca/partners.html
Phone: 250-377-6188

Customized Training Programs
These are client-funded programs designed for the specific needs of institutions, corporations, and government ministries. Programs are developed collaboratively, involving ESAL, specific academic departments, and community partners. TRU trains more than 600 trainees yearly.

Faculty members who are interested in teaching in these specialized programs should contact TRU World.

Associate Director, Contract Training and Finance Manager
Larry Peatt
URL: http://www.truworld.ca/tcs.html
Phone: 250-371-5745

Manager, Contract Training
Lori De Frias
URL: http://www.truworld.ca/tcs.html
Phone: 250-371-5764

Development Projects
TRU has participated in international development projects funded by national and international organizations such as the World Bank, CIDA, Asian Development Bank, Gorbachev Foundation, and others. These have included feasibility studies, curriculum design, project management, and skills training.

Interested faculty members (who may be able to contribute to developing a proposal to a funding agency) should contact TRU World.

wkoczka@tru.ca
Associate Vice-President, TRU World
URL: http://www.truworld.ca
Phone: 250-371-5529

Internationalization

Faculty Support

The Centre for Teaching and Learning collaborates with TRU World in developing faculty resources, supports, and workshops to build expertise and skill in working with culturally diverse classrooms.

The International Student Success Interest Group (ISSIG) is an ad hoc interest group represented by a broad base of TRU faculty and staff members.

Facebook group: Intercultural Teaching and Learning Community: Dialogue and Resources is an online discussion group for faculty and staff members to exchange perspectives or post resources.

Intercultural workshops help service departments and academic divisions explore issues related to internationalization (upon request).

Campus-Wide Initiatives

Annual International Days for TRU (Early February 2010)

International Flags of the week and month as well as international guest flags

Prayer and Meditation Room (International Building, Second Floor)

Support of student clubs and events that focus on international themes

Student Support and Advocacy
The primary mandate of this area is the support and integration of international students in academic programs, the campus, and the Kamloops community. For students, this includes:

Pre-departure support

Orientation

Transition / Acculturation support

Advocacy

Cross-cultural assistance

Socio-cultural activities

Workshop to support academic success

Workshops to assist with practical issues

This area works closely with senior administration, academic divisions, and service departments. Input from and collaboration with faculty members has enhanced capacities to effectively address the needs of students.

This range of services is overseen by TRU World’s Manager, International Student Services and Study Abroad, and implemented by the following teams:

International Student Advisors (ISAs)

International Student Activity Program (ISAP)

International Admissions (Registrar’s Office)

International Academic Advisors (Registrar’s Office)

Manager, International Student Services and Study Abroad
Jan Petrar
URL: http://www.truworld.ca/internationalstudents.html
Phone: 250-371-5888

Study Abroad Centre
The Study Abroad Centre promotes student mobility by establishing and supporting exchange agreements and providing advising, emergency/risk management, and orientation services for exchange participants. The centre provides support to field schools established by academic departments. We encourage faculty members to provide information to students about spending a semester or year abroad.

*Students undertaking exchange or field schools can access travel funding through the CUEF fund. With careful planning students can receive full academic credit for such experiences.

Student Exchange

TRU has over almost 40 bilateral institutional reciprocal exchange agreements in 16 countries.

TRU is a member of the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP), which provides access for exchange and study abroad placements in 21 countries.

TRU departments have initiated a range of field schools in Eastern Europe, Chile, Thailand, Mexico, Nepal, Samoa, and Belize (academic areas have included Nursing, NRS, Tourism, Social Work, and the Arts).

Faculty Support and Involvement
Faculty members interested in initiating an exchange for students should contact the Study Abroad Centre.

Pre-departure orientation

Student funding information

Manager, International Student Services and Study Abroad
Jan Petrar
URL: http://www.truworld.ca/exchange.html
Phone: 250-371-5888