Academic Affairs Committee want students to be “world-ready”

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By Brandon Goodwin

Studying abroad may get a little more rewarding.

The Board of Trustees Academic Affairs Committee met Tuesday to update the current Education Abroad program at UK.

Janet Roccanova, director of Education Abroad, and Susan Carvalho, Assistant Provost for International Programs, gave a presentation regarding Education Abroad’s expansion into a  major role in the UK Strategic Plan for Internationalization.

“We want our students to be world-ready,” Provost Kumble Subbaswamy said.  “This is something students can do, and should do.”

Roccanova and Carvalho hinted at the creation of an International Global Certificate, which would reward students who study abroad and provide incentives for others to participate in the program. The certificate could be awarded after students complete a certain core curriculum depending on students’ majors.

Roccanova said they are still trying to break down financial barriers that keep students from ptudying abroad. She said an average semester program could cost up to $18,000, but the average scholarship awarded is only $1,000. The funds for Education Abroad scholarships come from student fees paid by all full-time students, which currently amount to $80,000.