Committee suggests four global initiatives

University leaders think that Penn can improve its image worldwide by offering better scholarships to students from developing nations and drawing global leaders to Penn.

The Task Force on Global Engagement -- commissioned last semester by University President Amy Gutmann and Provost Ron Daniels -- completed its charge Monday of proposing projects designed to increase Penn's presence internationally. The report was initially due in December.

The task force's report presents four ideas, and Daniels said he is confident that the suggestions will be implemented, although Gutmann said that she does not yet have the money to fund them.

"We think it's a winning package," Daniels said. "We are prepared to treat [these proposals] as a ... priority" as the University begins a major fundraising campaign.

The first initiative is the creation of 25 to 30 "Penn world scholarships" for promising students from developing countries.

The second proposal calls for the creation of a Penn Global Initiatives Fund to give faculty and students access to money for specific, short-term projects the University deems globally valuable.

Gutmann cited last year's Safe Womanhood in an Unsafe World summit, designed by Gutmann and Nursing School Dean Afaf Meleis, as an example of such a project.

"The women's summit was really successful because there was support from the University for it," Meleis said. "Having the president and provost behind us really giving us support will [raise] the bar" for future programs.

The committee's third proposal is to host international scholars and leaders at Penn for brief periods, during which the visitors would join professors in the classroom and teach alongside them.

"A lot of the eminent scholars cannot just pick up and leave for long periods of time," Gutmann said, adding that work between faculty and visitors would make classes more dynamic for students.

These three recommendations are set to be implemented immediately, and Gutmann hopes to see Penn world scholars on campus in the fall and more global leaders visiting campus this semester.

Fourth, the committee proposed increasing financial aid for study abroad with the idea that any Penn student wishing to study overseas be able to do so regardless of financial considerations.

But these four recommendations cannot come to fruition without substantial funding, which Gutmann says the University does not currently possess.

However, she added, "I have seen a lot of support for this kind of proposal and I think we've set the stage" for intense fundraising.

Daniels said that he is confident the University will find the resources necessary to implement the task force's ideas.

"We're confident we're going to be able to respond," he said.

Meleis added that she believes donors will step up and give money for to the four projects.

"This is really the best of times to raise funds for international issues," Meleis said, adding that she believes parents recognize the value of an international education and will be willing to support one.

Meleis said she was impressed with the report and feels it will increase Penn's stature in the world.

"Bringing people from around the world tells them that we respect them ... and want to learn from them," she said.

Think global To improve Penn's global reputation: - 25 to 30 scholarships for students from developing nations - A fund to pay for short-term projects on international issues - A program to host international scholars to help teach classes - Increased financial aid for study-abroad programs

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