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TRU World: The International Department at Thompson Rivers University

Mission
Structure

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.


TRU World’s Associate Vice-President, Dr. Wes Koczka and Director, Baihua Chadwick are responsible for TRU’s international portfolio which is composed of six 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 and CEO Global Operations
Dr. Wesley Koczka
Phone: 250-828-5162
  • External Relations
  • International Marketing
  • Customized Training Programs
  • Strategic Business Operations
  • Chair of Senate International Affairs Committee (SIAC)
  • TRU World Departmental Operations
  • Internationalization Initatives


Director, International
Managing Director Global Operations, TRU World
Baihua Chadwick
Phone: 250-371-5525
  • Internal Relations
  • International Student Affairs
  • Study Abroad Centre
  • Transnational Education

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.

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

  • Market Research
  • Promotional Materials
  • Marketing Operations
  • Student Recruitment

International Academic Development
This area's mission is to provide leadership for the development of academic programming models with an international focus, build institutional cooperation on international initiatives and assist in accomplishing the related goals in the TRU Stragegic and Academic Plans.

Director, International Academic Development
Evangelia (Lian) Dumouchel
Phone: 250-828-5220

International Student Services
TRU is home to over 1,500 international students from over 80 countries.  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
  • Workshops 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 Associate Director, 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)



Associate Director, International Student Services and Study Abroad
Adrian Conradi
Phone: 250-371-5852

Study Abroad
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).


Study Abroad Manager
Jan Petrar
URL: www.truworld.ca/exchange.html
Phone: 250-371-5888

Transnational Education
This area manages the accreditation and joint delivery of programs with overseas institutional partners. There are currently over 1,400 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.

Manager, Transnational Education
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 ESL, 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, International Projects
Larry Peatt
URL: http://www.truworld.ca/tcs.html
Phone: 250-371-5745

International Training Manager
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

Senate International Affairs Committee (SIAC)


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.



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