International Engineering Program

Globalization is not limited to the English-speaking world. In order for UW engineering and computer science students to compete in the global market place for products, services, and careers, they must be both technically and culturally literate.

The University of Wyoming (UW) International Engineering Program (IEP) is designed to provide a true international experience, involving more than just international study. IEP students will break through language barriers to immerse themselves in another culture. Then they can begin to understand the perspectives and attitudes held by others around the world. IEP students will graduate with excellent academic credentials, fluency in at least one foreign language, and high-quality international work experience.

The IEP at the University of Wyoming is a college-wide curricular and institutional structure providing engineering and computer science students opportunities to learn a foreign language, study abroad in their target language, and work as interns in international business or industry, all as a part of a normal-length undergraduate degree program. Key elements of the IEP for students include the following.

• A degree program that integrates foreign language study with technical coursework in mathematics, sciences and engineering, without significant change in the credit-hour requirements for the degree. Students who enter the IEP with previous foreign language experience may receive appropriate credit for that experience.
• One or two semesters of engineering or computer science study abroad as an exchange student at an international partner university, where instruction is delivered in a language other than English. The study abroad will normally be taken during the junior year.
• An optional paid internship of four to five months duration immediately following the study-abroad term. The internship will be at an organization (research lab, consulting firm, industrial facility, government office, etc.) in the foreign country of interest and in which daily business is conducted in a language other than English.

Program Phases

To achieve a fully functional and effective IEP, a multi-phased approach is being used. Phase I (in progress) consists of the creation of a pilot program using German as the language and Germany as the international location. The first phase focuses on the first three activities identified in the Program Detail Section above. Phase II will focus on expanding the support for students to study other languages, enabling them to study and work in a wider variety of countries. Also, under Phase II, the remaining program elements will be put in place to round out the complete ranges of services and activities provided through the IEP.

Development Focus to Fund Phase II

Funding is required to fully implement the IEP, supporting curriculum development, international travel for senior faculty, and creation of the international advisory board. Additionally, one new staff member is needed to develop the marketing plan and coordinate exchanges and internships with our international partners.

The College of Engineering Development Office proposes to establish an endowment fund to support the following tentative budget line items:

The endowment amount needed to fund ongoing annual costs for the IEP of $194,000 is approximately $4M (using an annual return rate of 5%). With the continued state match program, a donor(s) of $2M will fulfill this need.

An additional facility development project is the International House, estimated to cost $1M to buy and remodel.

Contacts

Richard Schmidt, Associate Dean, schmidt@uwyo.edu

Sherrie Merrow, Director of Development and Communications, smerrow@uwyo.edu