TAMPA, FL--(Marketwire - September 13, 2010) - INTO University Partnerships (INTO) and the University of South Florida (USF) announced today that 2010-2011 international student enrollment at the INTO USF center will exceed the original planned targets by 39 percent. 460 students from 36 countries have enrolled at the INTO USF center on the university's Tampa campus for classes beginning in Fall 2010.
USF and INTO formally joined forces in January 2010 to increase USF's international student population, grow the university's on-campus diversity, expand its academic offerings for international students, and provide enhanced preparation and support services that rival those of universities worldwide.
Increasing USF's brand identity and recognition across global markets and establishing Tampa and the university as a premier destination for international students will generate long-term benefits for faculty, staff, and domestic students as well as job growth within the Tampa and Florida regions alike.
"The INTO USF partnership is off to a great start, and we are thrilled to welcome so many new international students to the university community," said USF Provost Ralph Wilcox. "The rich array of global experiences and perspectives they bring to the classroom are an important part of USF's focus on student success as we prepare our graduates to compete in the global marketplace. Our INTO USF students are a great asset to the university, and we are deeply committed to ensuring that they are provided the world class education that they expect."
INTO's long-term partnership with USF is designed to contribute to the transformation of the university's service delivery and academic programs for international students, setting them up to successfully progress to and complete an undergraduate or graduate degree program at USF.
"INTO University Partnerships is extremely pleased with the strength and success of our partnership with the University of South Florida," said David Stremba, INTO's Managing Director for North America. "The development of the new INTO USF program has been nothing short of remarkable. In less than one year, we have worked with USF to develop INTO USF's new, innovative pathway programs, providing international students the opportunity to participate in a unique, highly-supportive preparatory and cultural acclimation program on the university campus."
INTO USF students are enrolled in a variety of academic "Pathway" and English language programs designed by USF faculty to prepare them for successful transition to a degree program at the university. The Pathway experience offers international students a full year of instruction and personalized support designed to address their unique needs while living on the USF campus, preparing students and instilling confidence to succeed in the rigorous undergraduate and graduate degree programs at major research-intensive universities such as the University of South Florida.
INTO's partnership model is based on building the international capacity and expertise of its partner universities, while deferring all academic control of the programs to the university faculty. Activities to facilitate engagement with the broader university community, tools to help students acclimate to U.S. university teaching pedagogies, and a breadth of resources to accelerate their academic success combine to provide INTO students with the tools necessary for academic success now and well into their future.
"The entire faculty and staff of INTO USF waited in anticipation of the opening of the INTO USF Center and were not disappointed," said Glen Besterfield, INTO USF's Interim Center Director. "Our inaugural class of Pathway students started arriving on August 18 and even though the center has been operational for just a few weeks, the excitement on the part of students, faculty and staff is growing every day as we focus on student success and engagement within the USF community."
INTO University Partnerships works together with US and UK universities to develop specialized pathway programs and enhanced support services that specifically address international students' educational, social and cultural needs, carefully preparing them to progress with confidence as degree-seeking students. Students benefit from university-designed programs, high-quality, university-led teaching, and supportive learning environments while enjoying full access to their host university's campus facilities, resources and services. Integration with the university is the INTO difference. Since 2006, INTO has launched 10 educational partnerships to internationalize campuses in the UK and the US including the University of South Florida and Oregon State University. More information can be found at www.into-global.com.
The University of South Florida is one of the nation's top 63 public research universities and one of only 25 public research universities nationwide with very high research activity that is designated as community engaged by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. USF was awarded $394.1 million in research contracts and grants in FY 2009/2010. The university offers 232 degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate, specialist and doctoral levels, including the doctor of medicine. The USF System has a $1.8 billion annual budget, an annual economic impact of $3.2 billion, and serves more than 47,000 students on institutions/campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and Lakeland. USF is a member of the Big East Athletic Conference.