Lehigh University

Message from first Vice President for International Affairs

Lehigh University's 10-year strategic plan has made globalization one of its three strategic areas of focus, which are designed to address the grand challenges now facing our country, and to ultimately enhance our university's international intellectual footprint. As highlighted in the strategic plan, Lehigh is building on a platform of existing strengths reflected in the university's rich and diverse assortment of international programs. These programs, which thoroughly integrate teaching and research, and are led by highly-qualified faculty and staff members, help to provide students with quality learning experiences which enrich their development as both scholars and citizens.

Lehigh has made a long-term commitment to implementing the many recommendations and ideas that were generated in the report entitled, "Getting to Global Lehigh" (PDF). The report provides the foundation to build on which will ensure that Lehigh continues to expand beyond the current offerings to further the internationalizing of its curriculum and campus life through research programs, globally- and internationally-focused courses, and a wide variety of international activities. The overall goal is to include an extended offering of both traditional and non-traditional venues to provide the university community with a diverse portfolio of international experiences, including numerous different types of international exchange programs for students and faculty. The university is also continuing their ongoing and long standing tradition of developing key alliances with individual scholars and institutions throughout the world, as the best means for fostering valuable intellectual and institutional exchanges.

The recent establishment of the Office of International Affairs is a clear demonstration of Lehigh's commitment to these goals and aspirations. The office will provide the leadership and services necessary to the implementation of the many recommendations put forth in the Getting to Global Lehigh report, through catalyzing meaningful interactions among numerous Lehigh constituencies, including faculty, students, staff, alumni, and potential collaborators around the world. The office will also provide the necessary coordination for international activities at the university, ensuring a comprehensive and coordinated approach to current and new initiatives.

This website is the first phase of a broader university-wide international web presence. The goal of this first step is to provide visitors with information about Lehigh's international programs and the students, faculty, and staff who are involved in them, and to provide our campus community with information about the numerous international opportunities that currently exist at our university.

We will continue to add information to this site as new international opportunities and activities become available. We would like to get your input in order to make this site more useful in meeting your needs. Please contact us by sending e-mail message to: invpia@lehigh.edu

Web site : Mohamed S. El-Aasser, Vice President for International Affairs