New Opportunities for Universities throughout Asia - the International Professors Project

Abstract

This Focus Report introduces the new opportunities for universities and receiving visiting professors through a fairly new grass-roots organization called the International Professors Project (IPP) – the brain-child of Dr Ron Krate in Vermont USA. The IPP is largely email and web-based but face-to-face meetings do take place for committees. The aim of the IPP, somewhat simplified, is to utilize the manpower resources of developed countries to assist in developing countries through international exchange of on-campus professors or lecturers. It also serves both ways to bring professors from developing countries to other regions. As a result, it aims to foster a new concept of a mobile professor who can help all universities worldwide to become more internationalized. Open and distance universities throughout Asia should find these services useful and effective. A lecturer in Asia may find contacts abroad through the IPP and opportunities to travel to teach in other regions, and thereby develop professionally as a teacher. The hosting university could acquire human capital resources, and the host faculty could also develop through these increased face-to-face interactions.