About UF/IFAS International Programs

• Mission
• Vision
• Strategic Goals

About UF/IFAS International Programs

UF/IFAS has nearly seven decades of experience with global programs.  Through multi-institutional linkages and significant research, education, and outreach, UF/IFAS’ international efforts have contributed to the global development of agricultural, natural resources, conservation, nutrition, and allied sciences.

The global work of UF/IFAS scientists is supported by advanced laboratories, specialized research and education centers statewide, market information resources, educational expertise in formal and non-formal settings, and a network of professional colleagues around the world.

Leadership for UF/IFAS international activities is provided by the UF/IFAS International   Programs (IP) office, which is administratively part of the Office of the Vice President.  IP is responsible for coordinating, nurturing, and administering UF/IFAS global efforts.

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Mission, Vision & Strategic Goal Areas

Mission

To ensure that significant international engagement is a fundamental measure of institutional excellence, we will support, nurture, and provide leadership for a strengthened international dimension across all of IFAS and will assure that an appropriate global dimension permeates all that we are and all that we do.

Vision

Within the next decade, the University of Florida/IFAS will be at the forefront of Land Grant institutions in the depth, diversity, and quality of its international programs. We will be a leading international institution, which will be recognized for its educational and technical expertise in global tropical and sub tropical agriculture, food systems, aquaculture/fisheries, family/community sciences, natural resources, wildlife, forest science, conservation, environmental science, engineering, and economics. Programs led by the University of Florida/IFAS/International Programs will equip faculty, students, staff, and Florida citizens to benefit from and excel in a globalized workplace and in the new world of the 21st century. Our institutional status as a world class university will be sustained by commitment to a global dimension for the community of scholarship, which is at the heart of the University of Florida.

Strategic Goal Areas

The Vision and Mission statements above will be implemented  by focusing on the following strategic priorities. With the assistance of the International Programs Advisory Team (IPAT), appropriate metrics will be developed to measure progress towards the goals described below.

• Foster administrative support in UF and IFAS to encourage, recognize, and reward international involvement by assuring that senior administration articulates the opportunities for, benefits of, and the rewards derived from faculty efforts in the international arena.
• Encourage, support, and enhance faculty interest and participation in international activities across all IFAS mission areas, emphasizing the comparative advantage of IFAS in tropical and subtropical managed and natural ecosystems.
• Identify, refine, and target key priority topics and regions.
• Increase funding (both internal and external) required to sustain international programs.
• Improve access to and distribution of information to all of IFAS regarding international activities and opportunities.

Many international program activities are administered through UF/IFAS administrative offices and individual departments, centers and faculty. We encourage you to visit the Teaching, Research and Extension administrative Web sites, as well Web sites of departments, county extension offices, centers, offices and units, and research and education centers for information on the variety of international programs and activities.

• Go to Strengths

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