Previous Delegation Visits

Hong Kong

Visitor:

• Professor Rocky Tuan, Vice Chancellor and President 

Hosted by: Garrett Margliotti, Director of Global Partnerships & Partner Engagement within the University Center for International Studies (UCIS) 

Institutional Summary: The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) is a prestigious and globally renowned higher education institution situated in the heart of Hong Kong. Founded in 1963, CUHK offers a diverse array of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs, spanning a wide range of disciplines, including business, medicine, social sciences, and humanities. With a strong emphasis on research, innovation, and community engagement, the university has established itself as a hub for cutting-edge research and intellectual discourse. Its state-of-the-art facilities, highly regarded faculty, and vibrant campus life contribute to its reputation as a leading academic institution in Asia. CUHK is not only a center for academic excellence but also plays a crucial role in fostering cultural exchange and intellectual growth in the dynamic city of Hong Kong. 

Objectives: 

This visit was a homecoming of sorts for the President of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Dr. Rocky Tuan. As a Pitt graduate and past faculty member, he met with former colleagues and made new connections across multiple departments. The meetings centered around Pitt’s existing partnership with CUHK and explored potential academic and research collaborations. The University of Pittsburgh hosted a signing ceremony for three agreements with CUHK: University Wide MOU Renewal, New MOU between CUHK and Swanson School of Engineering, and university wide UG Student Exchange Agreement Renewal. 

Visit Date: 26 October 2023 

Visitors: 

• Ms. Lamiaa Ahmed Mohamed ELRASHIDY, Incubation Department Manager, ITIDA / TIEC 

• Mr. Mirko VIOLA, Head of Business & Community Development, Tree 

• Ms. Dudu Mary DUBE, Chief Executive Officer/Founder, Marydee Isibuko Serenity Foundation 

• Ms. Abeer ALLAN, Founder and Creative Director and Web Editor consultant, AllamzCom and UNICEF 

• Mr. Osman Ibrahim AHMED, General Manager, HelloSolar Technology PLC 

• Mr. Alexandre, SALHA Projects Manager, Fair Trade Lebanon 

• Mr. Rachid BOUKHENFER, Vice President in charge of Economic Development, Regional Council of Souss Massa 

• Ms. Tejumola Abake SOYANNWO, Executive Secretary, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, Lagos 

• Mr. Mohammed Ahmed ALGHAZAL, CEO, Noor Energies (Digital Transformation and Renewables) 

• Mr. Ayu CHUEPA, Founder, Akha Ama Coffee 

Hosted by: Garrett Margliotti, Director of Global Partnerships & Partner Engagement within the University Center for International Studies (UCIS) 

Institutional Summary: 

The mission of GlobalPittsburgh is "to forge cultural, educational, and business relationships between the Greater Pittsburgh Region and the global community through citizen diplomacy." GlobalPittsburgh is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1959 as the Pittsburgh Council for International Visitors (PCIV). Citizen diplomacy is a concept that every global citizen has the right, even the responsibility, to engage across cultures, and create shared understanding through meaningful person-to-person interactions, “one handshake at a time.” 

This group of ten leaders from ten countries worldwide visited Pittsburgh in April. These visitors were invited to the United States under the auspices of the Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program. 

Delegates met with Evan Facher, Vice Chancellor for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Associate Dean for Commercial Translation in the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Director of the Innovation Institute at the University of Pittsburgh.  

Objectives: 

The visiting delegation's objectives were centered on providing a comprehensive understanding of various aspects related to U.S. small businesses. They aimed to showcase the substantial impact of U.S. small businesses on local, regional, national, and global economies, shedding light on the crucial role played by governmental entities, non-governmental organizations, public-private partnerships, universities, corporations, and grassroots initiatives in fostering and supporting business creation and growth. 

Furthermore, the delegation sought to delve into the evolving landscape of small business concepts, financing, management, operations, and marketing. This exploration provided them with valuable insights into the current trends and dynamics within the small business sector. The delegation's visit to the University of Pittsburgh allowed them to gain essential knowledge and perspectives on these critical topics. 

Visit Date: 11 April 2023 

Istanbul, Republic of Türkiye

Visitor: Metin Sitti, President of Koç University 

Hosted by: Ariel Armony, Vice Chancellor for Global Affairs and Director of the University Center for International Studies (UCIS)

Institutional Summary:  

Koç University’s commitment to excellence and its well-resourced programs attract world-class academicians. The university’s faculty consists of Türkiye’s most established senior researchers and PhD’s from elite research institutions worldwide. Most of their full-time faculty members have doctoral degrees from top-tier universities in the world. They currently host 8,000 Students, 22 undergraduate programs, 43 graduate programs, and 30 Doctorate Programs.

Objectives: 

Newly installed President of Koç University, Metin Sitti visited the University of Pittsburgh and had a productive meeting with Dr. Ariel Armony, Vice Chancellor for Global Affairs and Director of the University Center for International Studies. The intention of their meeting was to learn more about Koç University, based on its excellent reputation and the history of previous exchange with the University of Pittsburgh.

Visit Date: 16 November 2023 

Washington, D.C.

Visitors: 

• H.E. Andrei Muraru, Ambassador of Romania to the U.S., Ambassador of Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
• Marius Florescu-Ciobotaru, Diplomatic Counselor, Embassy of Romania
• Mădălina Florescu-Ciobotaru, Minister-Counselor, Embassy of Romania

Hosted by:

The Romanian Embassy delegation was hosted by numerous campus centers: Center for Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies , Global Hub, Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs, Romanian Nationality Room Committee, and University Center for International Studies 

Dr. Nancy Condee, Professor in Slavic Languages and Literatures and Director, Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies  

Dr. Zsuzsánna Magdó, Associate Director, Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies 

Marilena Emili Legersky, Chair, Romanian Room Committee 

Diana Gorun, Vice Chair, Romanian Room Committee  

Geanina Visan, Secretary, Romanian Room Committee  

Mirela Chirică, Romanian Room Committee Member 

Mihaela Năstac, Romanian Room Committee Member 

Maria Udrea, Romanian Room Committee Member 

Meg Williams, Associate Director, Nationality Rooms & Intercultural Exchange Programs 

Michael Walter, Tour Coordinator, Nationality Rooms & Intercultural Exchange Programs 

Institutional Summary:  

The Romanian Embassy has been in existence since 1918 and when the Romanian Nationality Room was dedicated in 1943, the Romanian Ambassador at the time was present. Ambassador Muraru’s visit marks the second time the University of Pittsburgh has been honored by a visit from the Romania Embassy. Andrei Muraru has been accredited by the President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Romania to the United States on July 7, 2021. The President of the United States of America, Joe Biden, accepted his Letters of Credence on September 15, 2021. Andrei Muraru has authored several books and is a university lecturer at the National University of Political Studies and Public Administration (Department of International Relations and European Integration) and scientific researcher III at The Elie Wiesel National Institute for the Study of the Holocaust in Romania.

Objectives: 

The Romanian Embassy delegation was given a tour of the Romanian Nationality Room and a  traditional welcome ceremony. Ambassador Muraru was kind enough give his time for a speaking engagement concerning “The Relations between Romania & the United States: Common Response to Current & Future Challenges.” The University of Pittsburgh, in conjunction with the Romanian Nationality Committee, hosted a reception in appreciation of the visit of the Romanian Ambassador to the United States.

Visit Date: 13 November 2023 

Singapore

Visitors: 

• Marcus Heng, Senior Manager, Innovation & Entrepreneurship  

• Gevin Png, Deputy Director, Academic & Student Development 

• Ho Peng Ching, Assistant Director/School of Engineering 

• Aw Tuan Kee, Deputy Principal/CEO 

Hosted by: Garrett Margliotti, Director of Global Partnerships & Partner Engagement within the University Center for International Studies (UCIS) 

Institutional Summary:  

Temasek Polytechnic is a leading educational institution in Singapore, known for its commitment to providing practical, industry-relevant education and training. Established in 1990, the polytechnic offers a wide range of diploma and degree programs across various disciplines, including engineering, business, design, and information technology. The institution's state-of-the-art facilities, dedicated faculty, and industry partnerships contribute to its reputation as a hub for innovation and professional development. Temasek Polytechnic plays a pivotal role in Singapore's education landscape, preparing students for successful careers and contributing to the country's economic and technological advancement. 

Objectives: 

During their visit to the University of Pittsburgh's Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship, the delegation met with key figures, including Evan Facher, Vice Chancellor for Innovation and Entrepreneurship & Associate Dean for Commercial Translation in the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship; Paul Harper, Associate Dean for Inclusion, Engagement, & International Affairs in the Joseph M. Katz School of Business and College of Business Administration; and Rhonda Schuldt, Director of the Big Idea Center.  

The visit to the Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship at the University of Pittsburgh was intended to explore the wide-ranging opportunities available in the field of innovation and entrepreneurship. The main goal of the visit was to gain a deeper understanding of the university's programs, the expertise of its faculty, and the cutting-edge campus facilities dedicated to innovation and entrepreneurship. Ultimately, the aim was to assess whether the University of Pittsburgh aligned with the educational and career aspirations of students from Temasek Polytechnic. The visit sought to make an informed decision regarding potential enrollment or collaboration opportunities in the field of innovation and entrepreneurship at the University of Pittsburgh. 

Visit Date: 17 October 2023 

Beijing, P.R. China

Visitors: 

• SIM Zhi Min, Director of International Partnerships and Strategy, Tsinghua Medicine  

• WU Ning, MD, PhD, Assistant to Head (Medical Education), Director of Medical Education Office, Tsinghua Medicine 

• CHU Coco, PhD, Assistant Professor of Neuroimmunology, Institute for Immunology, Tsinghua Medicine 

Hosted by: Dr. Maggie McDonald, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic and Global Affairs, Health Sciences with the University of Pittsburgh Schools for Health Sciences 

Institutional Summary:

Tsinghua University, known worldwide for excellence in science and engineering, has been consistently ranked among the top universities in China over the past several decades. In the new millennium, Tsinghua has initiated a systematic effort to build a world-class medical school. The Tsinghua University School of Medicine has established an eight (8)-year MD program focused on clinical medicine, with enrollment of approximately 35 students per year. Students enrolled in this MD program track will have a two (2)-year mentored research experience at UPSOM. The Tsinghua University School of Medicine has also established a new nine (9)-year MD/PhD program focused on both clinical medicine and medical science research. Students admitted into this track may have the option of spending three (3) years at UPSOM. Tsinghua University intends to train the students as physician-scientists rather than simply clinicians. 

Objectives: The purpose of this visit is to continue our discussion on the development of future mutually beneficial collaborative activities between Tsinghua Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. 

Visit Date: 24 & 25 April 2023 

Dakar, Senegal

Visitors: 

• Professor Ahmadou Aly Mbaye, Rector  

• Professor Abdoulaye Leye, Director, Preventative Health Care  

• Professor Aminata Niang-Diene, Vice-Rector  

• Professor Ousmane Sene, Retired UCAD faculty and Director, West African Research Center  

Hosted by: Catherine Koverola, Interim Director, Center for African Studies, University Center for International Studies (UCIS) 

Institutional Summary: Université Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD), located in Dakar, Senegal, is one of West Africa's most prominent and respected higher education institutions. Established in 1957, UCAD offers a wide range of academic programs, encompassing various fields such as sciences, humanities, medicine, and social sciences. It is known for its dedication to advancing knowledge and research across a wide spectrum of disciplines, playing a vital role in the intellectual and cultural development of the region. UCAD is celebrated for its commitment to education, research, and its influence on the broader West African educational landscape, making it a hub for academic excellence and intellectual discourse in the region. 

Objectives: 

Numerous Pitt departments and centers were engaged during this delegation with the intent of sharing best practices and moving a variety of collaboration initiatives forward in the fields of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Diversity and Development, Community Engagement, Biomedical Technologies, Agricultural Technology, and more.  

The delegation also met with Pitt’s Deitrich School for Arts & Sciences and the Graduate School for Public and International Affairs to discuss possibilities for faculty exchange, student mobility, and research collaborations while other meetings touched upon potential development of dual degree programs and graduate student recruitment. 

Departments Engaged: 

University Center for International Studies (UCIS), Schools for Health Sciences (Schools of Medicine, Health and Rehab Sciences, Public Health), Center for African Studies, Big Idea Center, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences (Africana Studies, Department of History, Department of Linguistics, French, Graduate School of International and Public Affairs, Office of Community Engagement Affairs, Office of the SVC Research, School of Computing and Information (SCI), Swanson School of Engineering, and relevant external partners at UPMC. 

Visit Dates: 12-14 September 2023 

Calgary, Canada

Visitors: 

• Andrea Delgado Morrow, Director of International Relations, University of Calgary 

• Uli Ng, Manager of Global Partnerships, University of Calgary 

Hosted by: Garrett Margliotti, Director of Global Partnerships & Partner Engagement within the University Center for International Studies (UCIS) 

Institutional Summary: The University of Calgary, located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is a prominent public research institution with a rich history dating back to its founding in 1944. Originally a branch of the University of Alberta, it achieved independence in 1966 and has since flourished into a comprehensive university featuring 14 faculties and over 85 research institutes and centers. As one of Canada's top research universities, UCalgary has garnered a sponsored research revenue of $380.4 million. 

Objectives:  

The University of Pittsburgh’s Global Partnerships & Partner Engagement Team was honored to host members of the University of Calgary’s partnerships team. The two teams have enjoyed close collaboration since 2021 as they have partnered to share best practices, co-present at conferences across the globe, and are working to develop a series of workshops inspired by both institutions' unique institutional partnership assessment and inventory tools: UCalgary's International Partnerships Assessment Rating Index (IPARI) and Pitt's Global Partnership Inventory Tracking Tool (GPITT). Click here for more information on this exciting partnership. 

Visit Dates: 24-26 May 2023 

Limerick, Ireland

Visitors: 

• Paul Burke, MD, Vice Dean, Health Sciences University, University of Limerick, Chief Academic Officer, UL Hospital Group 

• Rose Galvin, PhD, Senior Lecturer, Physiotherapy, University of Limerick 

• Katie Robinson, PhD, Senior Lecturer, Occupational Therapy, University of Limerick, School of Allied Health 

Hosted by: Dr. Maggie McDonald, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic and Global Affairs, Health Sciences with the University of Pittsburgh Schools for Health Sciences 

Institutional Summary: Established in 1972, the University of Limerick is an independent, internationally focused university with over 17,500 students and approximately 1,800 staff. It is a young, energetic and enterprising university with a proud record of innovation in education and excellence in research and scholarship. The University offers programmes across a wide range of disciplines, including arts, business, engineering and construction, health and medicine, information and communication technology, law, mathematics and natural sciences. 

Objectives: Exploration of potential areas of co-operation between the Schools of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh and AASTMT including: 

• Curriculum assessment 

• Faculty and staff professional development 

• Academic exchanges, including mutual visits by faculty and guest speakers 

• Participation in virtual exchanges, including lectures, workshops, and seminars 

• Student exchanges 

• Summer research 

• Elective courses 

• Elective rotations and observerships 

• Distance learning or virtual exchange (problem-based learning, standardized patient cases) 

• Participation in joint academic and scientific activities such as seminars, conferences, joint research projects, and authorship of scholarly publications 

Visit Date: 27 & 28 February 2023 

Giza, Egypt

Visitors:

• Mahmoud M. Elzalabany, MD, PhD, Dean of AAST-MT

• Rania Elsabrouty, MD, PhD, International liaison for AAST-MT

• Ramy Shaaban, MD, PhD, AAST-MT consultant

Hosted by: Dr. Maggie McDonald, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic and Global Affairs, Health Sciences with the University of Pittsburgh Schools for Health Sciences

Institutional Summary:

The Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport (AASTMT) was founded in 1972 upon agreement between the United Nations and the Arab League. It is a nonprofit, self-funded organization with campuses at multiple sites in Egypt and in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, and Sudan. In 2021, AASTMT established a new medical school in Alexandria, Egypt, with the goal of training highly competent physicians prepared at an international standard of medical education. The new school is on a 100-acre integrated campus that is being designed as a “smart village.” AASTMT is now in its second year of operation, having opened with 100 students, most of them women, in its inaugural class.

Objectives: Exploration of potential areas of co-operation between the Schools of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh and AASTMT including:

• Curriculum assessment
• Faculty and staff professional development
  • Academic exchanges, including mutual visits by faculty and guest speakers
  • Participation in virtual exchanges, including lectures, workshops, and seminars
• Student exchanges
  • Summer research
  • Elective courses
  • Elective rotations and observerships
  • Distance learning or virtual exchange (problem-based learning, standardized patient cases)
• Participation in joint academic and scientific activities such as seminars, conferences, joint research projects, and authorship of scholarly publications

Visit Date: 1 December 2022

Institutions Represented:

• State Committee for Religious Associations of the Republic of Azerbaijan
• Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences
• State Agency on Support to Non-Governmental Organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan
• GlobalPittsburgh

Visitors:

• Mr. Jahandar ALIFZADE, Head of Department of Religious Associations, State Committee for Religious Associations of the Republic of Azerbaijan
• Mr. Jeyhun ALIYEV, Deputy Executive Director, Moral Values Promotion Foundation, State Committee on Religious Associations of the Republic of Azerbaijan
• Ms. Konul BUNYATZADA, Senior Researcher, Institute of Philosophy and Sociology, Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences
• Mr. Zaur IBRAHIMOV, Supervisory Board Member, State Agency on Support to Non-Governmental Organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan
• Mr. Radif MUSTAFAYEV, Researcher, Institute of Philosophy and Sociology, Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences
• Nadya Kessler, The Director of Development and Membership at GlobalPittsburgh

Hosted by: Garrett Margliotti, Director of Global Partnerships and Partner Engagement, University Center for International Studies (UCIS)

Institutional Summary:

The mission of GlobalPittsburgh is "to forge cultural, educational, and business relationships between the Greater Pittsburgh Region and the global community through citizen diplomacy." GlobalPittsburgh is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1959 as the Pittsburgh Council for International Visitors (PCIV). Citizen diplomacy is a concept that every global citizen has the right, even the responsibility, to engage across cultures, and create shared understanding through meaningful person-to-person interactions, “one handshake at a time.”

Objectives:

The University of Pittsburgh was approached by GlobalPittsburgh to help in welcoming individuals from Azerbaijan visiting under the auspices of the U.S. State Department's International Visitor Leadership Program with project entitled "Promoting Intercommunal Harmony and Interfaith Dialogue". This project is for religious and civic leaders and researchers promoting religious harmony in Azerbaijan. The project will survey the U.S. experience of religious pluralism and efforts to protect the rights of religious minorities. The goal was to explore interfaith cooperation in addressing community and social issues and examine how U.S. religious organizations, academic institutions, NGOs, and civil society organizations teach tolerance, collaboration, and conflict resolution among faith groups. The delegates also wished to learn about the challenges to interfaith relations and how religious groups work in a public-private partnership with government-supported programs while respecting the U.S. tradition of separation of religion and state. 

Visit Dates: 7 December 2022

Washington, DC, USA

Hosted by:  Dr Michael Kenney, Director of the Matthew B. Ridgway Center for International Security Studies with Professor Nancy Condee, Director of the Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies Center (REEES).

Summary:

On November 2, 2022, Dr. Fiona Hill joined the Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies (REEES) and the Matthew B. Ridgway Center for International Security Studies to discuss her experience in the Trump administration, her recent memoir, and Putin's authoritarian vision for Russia. 

Though Dr. Hill hails from the United Kingdom, she has had an extensive career in the United States, serving as Senior Director for European and Russian Affairs and the National Security Council while working under three presidents. She is currently a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution and has recently released her memoir, titled There is Nothing for You Here: Finding Opportunity in the Twenty-First Century. 

Dr. Hill addressed a number of topics, including Russian society’s reaction to the war in Ukraine, Vladimir Putin’s weaponization of history, and Putin's nuclear saber rattling. She compared Putin’s leadership style with former President Donald Trump, placing them in the same category of autocratic leaders as China’s Xi Jinping, India’s Narendra Modi, and Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Drawing on her experience in the Trump administration, Dr. Hill noted that the former president admired Putin’s “strongman” style of leadership. In addition to her public talk, she visited several Pitt classes and led a student focus-group discussion on creating economic opportunities in American communities. 

Dr. Hill’s conversation was the inaugural event in an annual series hosted by REEES and the Ridgway Center featuring high profile scholar-practitioners who have had an important impact on recent world events. The full event is available to watch on-demand now.

The above is an excerpt from an article published by PittGlobal's communications specialist, Maggie Grey McDonald. For the complete article, visit: https://www.ucis.pitt.edu/main/stories/fiona-hill-shares-insights-rich-career-reees-ridgway-talk.

Visit Date: 2 November 2022

Porto Alegre, Brazil

Visitors:

Dr. Maria Auxiliadora Cannarozzo Tinoco, Tenured Assistant Professor in the School of Engineering at Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS)

Dr. Ângela de Moura Ferreira Danilevicz, Associate Professor in the School of Engineering at Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS)

Dr. Tatiana Louise Avila de Campos Rocha, Manager for Academic Affairs- Undergrad Courses at UNISINOS, Fulbright Scholar in the Swanson School of Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh

Hosted by: Dr. Mary Besterfield-Sacre, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Swanson School of Engineering with the University Center for International Studies

Institutional Summary:

The Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul is a Brazilian public federal research university located in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul. It is one of the largest and highest-rated universities in Brazil and prides itself as one of the highest producers of scientific publications in the country. The Swanson School of Engineering has developed a relationship with UNISINOS, spearheaded by Associate Dean Mary Besterfield-Sacre. This relationship commenced on September 1, 2021, through a Cooperative Agreement. The activity between the two institutions involves undergraduate and graduate engineering education exchanges and collaborations (e.g., ideas and best practices, teaching pedagogies, engineering education research).

Objectives:

• Overview of teaching at Pitt:  General Directions, Alignment with University Strategic Plan
• Pedagogical Strategies/Student Engagement
• To Identify how to develop competences by using innovative pedagogical practices
• Identifying how to implement micro-certifications for undergraduate students
• Overview of the Engineering Education Research Center

Visit Dates: 8-11 February 2022

French Embassy, Washington DC

Visitors:

Philippe Arhets, PhD, Director of the Inserm (French National Institute for Health and Medical Research) USA/Canada office based at the French Embassy in Washington DC
Mireille Guyader, MA, PhD, Counselor for Science and Technology, Embassy of France in the United States and Director of Research at the Inserm
Sylvette Tourmente, Director of the CNRS (The French National Centre for Scientific Research) Office for the USA, Canada, and Mexico, in Washington DC
Julian Muller, MPP, ME, Science Policy Officer, Embassy of France in the U.S.

Hosted by: Dr. José-Alain Sahel and the Eye & Ear Foundation of Pittsburgh with Dr. Maggie McDonald, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic and Global Affairs, Health Sciences

Institutional Summary:

The University of Pittsburgh's vision institute was excited to welcome the French consulate primarily due to the existing connections between Pitt's own Dr. José-Alain Sahel and researchers in France. Not only is Dr. Sahel Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Pittsburgh but he is also Professor of Ophthalmology at Sorbonne University and Founder of The Vision Institute, Paris, France.

Objectives: In addition to a research meeting with the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Pittsburgh, delegates attended the Topping Off ceremony at the Vision and Rehabilitation Institute at the UPMC Mercy Pavilion and learned more about the University's role in driving Pittsburgh towards its status of a world-class research and healthcare institution. Learn more about the visit here.

Visit Dates: 29-30 June 2022

Institutions Represented:

Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia

Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University, South Tangerang, Banten, Indonesia

Sumbawa University of Technology, Sumbawa, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

GlobalPittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America

Visitors:

Iman HARYMAWAN, PhD, Head, Airlangga Global Engagement, Universitas Airlangga, Editor-in-Chief, Asian Journal of Accounting Research, Universitas Airlangga

Didin Nuruddin HIDAYAT, EdD, Coordinator, 5000 Doctor Scholarships, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Head, Department of English Education, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University

Chairul HUDAYA, PhD, Rector (President), Sumbawa University of Technology, Lecturer/Assistant Professor, University of Indonesia

Ika Safitri WINDIARTI, PhD, Vice Rector (President) II, Muhammadiyah University of Palangkaraya, Senior Lecturer, Department of Computer Science, Muhammadiyah University of Palangkaraya

Nadya Kessler, Director of Development and Membership at GlobalPittsburgh

Hosted by: Garrett Margliotti, Director of Global Partnerships & Partner Engagement within the University Center for International Studies (UCIS)

Institutional Summary:

The mission of GlobalPittsburgh is "to forge cultural, educational, and business relationships between the Greater Pittsburgh Region and the global community through citizen diplomacy." GlobalPittsburgh is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1959 as the Pittsburgh Council for International Visitors (PCIV). Citizen diplomacy is a concept that every global citizen has the right, even the responsibility, to engage across cultures, and create shared understanding through meaningful person-to-person interactions, “one handshake at a time.”

This visit from our Indonesian guests was a result of a State Department-sponsored project entitled, “ Expanding U.S. - Indonesia Partnerships in Higher Education.” GlobalPittsburgh is a designated liaison organization for the State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program.

Objectives:

• Explore a diverse range of U.S. HEIs (including community colleges, liberal arts colleges, and land-grant universities) to discuss how new partnerships are established, maintaining existing partnerships, and reviving inactive partnerships.
• Examine policies and best practices related to project management, student and academic staff exchanges, intellectual property rights/knowledge transfer, and financial resources in the context of HEI partnerships
• Discuss how U.S. state and federal authorities engage with public and private research universities to facilitate international research and scholarship

Visit Dates: 4-5 October 2022

Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

Institutional Summary:

Newcastle University is a UK public research university based in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. It also has overseas campuses in Singapore and Malaysia and prides itself on being a people-focused institution with deep connections in community.

The University of Pittsburgh and Newcastle University's relationship grew out of person-to-person relationships nurtured by the University Center for International Studies and the European Studies Center. It expanded into an ERASMUS + student mobility program. As this program and interest between both universities continued to grow beyond European Studies, the two universities became strategic partners.

Built on a foundation of shared values and complementary strengths, collaboration between both universities has been extensive over the past several years, involving students and faculty across different disciplines and schools. The University of Pittsburgh was honored to both send University leadership to Newcastle as well as to host two separate delegations from Newcastle University in the year 2022 to advance a variety of objectives.

Newcastle Delegation 1

Visitor

Dr. Louise Kempton, Associate Dean of Research and Innovation in the Faculty of Humanities and Social sciences at Newcastle University, United Kingdom; Senior Researcher at the Centre for Urban and Regional Development Studies

Hosted by: Dr. Ariel Armony, Vice Chancellor for Global Affairs and Director of the University Center for International Studies

Objectives:

This visit was the first step in a comparative study to explore some of these questions in two cities (Pittsburgh and Newcastle) that share many common characteristics in terms of their industrial pasts and contemporary social and economic challenges, but also have some marked distinctions in terms of the policy and governance contexts in which they operate. Key areas of inquiry included: 

• How to build partnerships for place-based collaboration and the role of universities in these – what are the internal and external drivers and barriers? 
• What is the impact of the wider policy context for local and regional governance, higher education, research and innovation etc. on the way universities operate and relate to their local place? 
• Inclusive innovation – how can universities (and their local partners) design approaches to innovation that ensure the widest impact on the economy and society? 
• How can (post-industrial) cities leverage their universities as key assets in local development, especially in the context of ‘levelling up’ (UK) and ‘build back better’ (USA), and in addressing regional inequalities and post-pandemic recovery? 
• What is the impact of universities (beyond their direct economic impact) in the places they are located and how can this be measured? 

Visit Dates: 5-12 April 2022

Newcastle Delegation 2

Visitors:

Dr. Jane Robinson, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Engagement and Place, Newcastle University 
Dr. Lynne Corner, Director (VOICE) and Chief Operating Office (National Innovation Centre for Aging), Newcastle University
Helen Challis, Head of International Relations, Newcastle University

Objectives:

• Explore research around ‘Brain Capital’ (i.e., skills development and wellbeing around brain health in ageing).  
• Explore the idea of universities as drivers of regional economic growth in post-industrial cities.
• Discussion of a Virtual Global Hub: determining scope and reach of the initiative and identifying key objectives and metrics moving forward.
• Overview of the University of Pittsburgh engagement with industry partners in discussion with Pitt's Office of Industry and Economic Partnerships
• Meetings with local organizations, including the RIDC, URA, InnovatePGH, as well as both the African American and Asian American Chambers of Commerce to discuss possible connections between our cities, and setting up additional connection points for future visits by Newcastle upon Tyne city officials. 
• Tours of the Hill District and Homewood Community Engagement Centers (CECs) and the Hazelwood Green Site to gain deeper understanding of the University’s perspective and engagement with the community

Visit Dates: 30 Sept - 4 October

State College, Pennsylvania, USA

Visitors:

PennState Global Team

Vlad Likholetov, Assistant Director for Global Collaborations
Aissatou (Aisha) Nabe, Assistant Director for Strategy and Analysis
Alexandrea Persiko, Assistant Director for Europe and Oceania Partnerships
Mel White, Senior Director for Planning and Partnerships

Hosted by: Garrett Margliotti, Director of Global Partnerships & Partner Engagement and the PittGlobal Team at the University Center for International Studies

Institutional Summary: Penn State University is a peer institution located approximately 130 miles from the University of Pittsburgh main campus. In 2023, PSU was ranked #93 in QS World University Rankings and #44 in the US.

The Penn State Global Planning and Partnerships Team is comprised of nine staff members focused on international interinstitutional partnerships. They are broken into three areas under their planning and partnership division: one area focused on assessment and deeper understanding of their partnerships, one area focused on data and metrics, and one area focused on partnership development and cultivation.

Objectives: 

Discussion of best practices. In February 2022, the two representatives from Pitt's Global Parnterships & Partner Engagement team presented with the University of Calgary at the AIEA Annual Conference 2022. The presentation entitled From Conception to Implementation: A Journey Through International Partnership Assessments featured Pitt’s Global Partnership Inventory Tracking Tool (GPITT) [link to GPITT webpage]and Calgary’s International Partnership Assessment Rating Index (IPARI). This session was attended by two representatives from PSU who were keen to visit Pitt's campus to deepen these discussions. This August 2022 visit was proposed to gain deeper insights in to not only the GPITT, but PittGlobal and PennStateGlobal as a whole. Discussions explored global engagement, Pitt's Global Analytics Dashboard and GPITT and other relevant tools, and discussions of shared challenges and best practices regarding international partnership and engagement.

Samarkand, Uzbekistan

Visitors:

Jasur Risaev, DDS, ScD, Rector, Professor
Gayrat Elmurodov, Vice Rector for Financial and Economic Issues
Zafar Aminov, MD, PhD, Vice Rector for International Cooperation

Hosted by: Dr. Maggie McDonald, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic and Global Affairs, Health Sciences with the University of Pittsburgh Schools for Health Sciences

Institutional Summary:

Samarkand State Medical University is a higher educational institution - and the first medical university in Central Asia -

engaged in the education and training of students, medical workers and scientists. It was founded in May 1930 on the initiative of the Council of People's Commissars of the Uzbek SSR.

Visit Objectives: Site visit and tours of School of Medicine facilities

Visit Dates: 27-31 March 2022

Beijing, China

Visitor:

Tien Wong, MD, PhD, Founding Head and Chair Professor, Tsinghua Medicine

Hosted by: Dr. Maggie McDonald, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic and Global Affairs, Health Sciences with the University of Pittsburgh Schools for Health Sciences

Institutional Summary:

Situated in northwest Beijing on the site of the former imperial gardens of the Qing Dynasty, Tsinghua University is a well-respected national public research university ranked 14th in the world by the 2023 QS World University Rankings. At present, the university has 21 schools and 59 departments with faculties in science, engineering, humanities, law, medicine, history, philosophy, economics, management, education and art. As of 2022, over 53,000 registered students attend Tsinghua University to obtain their undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees.

Visit Objectives: Pitt and UPMC facility tours; meetings with Pitt and UPMC leadership; review Tsinghua mentorship program.

Visit Dates: 2-3 October 2022

Dublin, Ireland

Visitors:

Michael Keane, MD, MBBCh, Dean and Head of UCD School of Medicine

Patrick Felle, MBBCh, MSc, Associate Dean of Medicine

Walter Cullen, BAO, BCh, Professor of Urban General Practice

Hosted by: Dr. Maggie McDonald, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic and Global Affairs, Health Sciences with the University of Pittsburgh Schools for Health Sciences

Institutional Summary:

University College Dublin is a public research university in Dublin and is Ireland's largest university, boasting over 33,200 students. It is considered one of the most prestigious universities in the country and has been ranked within the top 1% of higher education institutions worldwide. UCD expertise is recognized worldwide, with international accreditations for UCD degrees from the world's leading professional organizations in Veterinary Medicine, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Regional and Urban Planning, and Engineering

Objective: Touring Pitt and UPMC facilities; meeting with Pitt and UPMC leadership

 Visit Date: 12 October 2022