�� Tri-Cities partnering with Thai, Canadian universities for language and cultural exchange

Maegan Murray — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 22:07:52 +0000

RICHLAND, Wash. – Washington State University Tri-Cities signed a memorandum of understanding today to partner with Vanwest College from Vancouver, British Columbia, and Mahasarakham University from Talat, Thailand, for a language and cultural exchange program that will benefit students from each of the three campuses and countries.

Christ Meiers, �� Tri-Cities vice chancellor of enrollment management and student services, and Nitiphong Songsrirote, dean of the Mahasarakham University Business School, sign an MOU for a language and cultural exchange partnership.

The purpose of the partnership is to deliver programs that promote academics and cultural understanding between the three institutions and countries associated. VanWest will be responsible for delivering an English as a second language program, academic workshops and sightseeing at its campus. �� Tri-Cities will be responsible for cultural exchange activities at its campus, which may include select lectures and presentations, tours and friendship exchange meetings with local organizations. The Mahasarakham University will be responsible for facilitating study abroad opportunities for �� Tri-Cities students.

“This is a valuable experience both for our students and from those students from Thailand and British Columbia,” said Chris Meiers, �� Tri-Cities vice chancellor of enrollment management and student services. “The students will benefit from the language exploration and competency experiences at VanWest and at Mahasarakham, in addition to learning about the cultural components, networking and more through �� Tri-Cities and the regional community.”

Administrators from Mahasarakham University said they were excited to be partnering with both �� Tri-Cities and Vanwest College.

(Left to right) Yujin Song, VanWest admission and marketing manager; Yawittha Daroth, Mahasarakham student; Mullika Yothikha, Mahasarakham student; and Kornuma Laphanuphat, Mahasarakham international affairs officer.

“Coming to Canada and the United States is a great experience for us,” said Pornlapas Suwannarat, associate dean for research and international affairs at Mahasarakham University. “We are hopeful for a fruitful collaboration to take place between VanWest and Washington State University Tri-Cities.”

A group of students and administrators from VanWest College and Mahasarakham University spent the last couple of days learning about the educational and business opportunities at �� Tri-Cities, touring the Tri-Cities region, as well as networking with local businesses.

“It’s been a fun and enlightening past few days for all institutions,” Meiers said. “We have a lot to share and learn from one another. We’re excited about this partnership and the educational and cultural opportunities that will enrich the student experience for all three institutions and countries.”

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Iannelli to lead Voiland’s international efforts

Maegan Murray — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 01:38:10 +0000

PULLMAN, Wash. – As the new associate dean for international programs, Joseph Iannelli will be responsible for developing and expanding global opportunities and collaborations in Washington State University’s Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture.

“Joseph has been providing outstanding leadership in connecting Voiland College faculty and students internationally,” said Don Bender, interim dean of the college. “In keeping with the university’s Drive to 25, we look forward to growing these efforts and broadening our global interactions and experiences.”

Iannelli, who has been at �� since 2014, will maintain his position as founding director and professor in the School of Engineering & Applied Sciences at �� Tri-Cities.

In his new role, he said he intends to develop partnerships with overseas universities and organizations in research and student exchange that will enhance economic development and goodwill toward his college, �� and the state of Washington.

He has led several efforts to increase the university’s global connections. Earlier this year, �� became the first university in the state to receive European Union funding to support student and faculty research exchanges. He has established partnerships with Technology University of Dresden, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences and Zurich University of Applied Sciences to begin student and faculty exchanges, joint graduate programs and research initiatives.

“These types of collaborations are important because we live in a globalized society,” he said. “When we provide this enhanced education, we graduate students who are ready to excel in their professions on the global scale.”

A fellow of the British Higher Education Academy, Iannelli holds a Ph.D. in engineering science with a focus on aerospace engineering and computational fluid dynamics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He holds a combined bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Palermo, Italy, and a diploma in fluid dynamics from the Von Karman Institute in Belgium.

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international programs Archives - ������ Tri-Cities

������ Tri-Cities partnering with Thai, Canadian universities for language and cultural exchange

Iannelli to lead Voiland’s international efforts

international programs Archives - �� Tri-Cities

�� Tri-Cities partnering with Thai, Canadian universities for language and cultural exchange