At the EducationUSA Forum this week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona articulated a Joint Statement of Principles that calls for a coordinated national approach to international education that emphasizes the benefits of international engagement for all. Highlights from the statement include:
- A commitment to a welcoming environment for international students and scholars of all disciplines coming to the United States.
- Support for international students and the internationalization of U.S. campuses and classrooms.
- Encouragement for U.S. students, researchers, scholars, and educators to pursue study, internships, research, and other international experiences.
- Promotion of the use of technology to connect U.S. students, researchers, scholars, and educators with their overseas counterparts.
- U.S. government partnerships with higher education institutions, K-12 schools, state and local governments, and the business community to support international education and the goals of engagement with the global community
AACRAO applauds the leadership in the Department of Education and the Department of State in recognizing the importance of our global engagement and the need for a coordinated national approach to international education.
This is a welcomed collaboration between two critical federal agencies that will help our institutions engage globally and ultimately support our learners in an increasingly interconnected global economy. The emphasis on the diversity of both audiences and modes of engagement is an exciting strategy that will support our learners, strengthen our institutions, and continue to build the overall U.S. position as leaders in global higher education.
- Melanie Gottlieb, Interim Executive Director