Through the leadership of the president of the University of North Texas (UNT), Dr. Gretchen Bataille, the university has committed itself to a new strategic plan for the 21st century. At the heart of Dr. Bataille’s strategic vision are the three interconnected themes of Internationalization, Collaboration, and Diversity. Already heavily engaged in international activities, UNT is working hard to broaden its contacts, relationships, and projects at the international level. At the same time, faculty, and administrative staff on the Denton campus are internationalizing the university’s curriculum and exploring new ways to increase student and faculty involvement in international education and research.

The initiative which best exemplifies the importance of UNT’s contributions to strengthening the global community and the university’s new approach to internationalization is its partnership with the Turkish Institute of Police Studies (TIPS). UNT is proud to host the office of TIPS, the publication of TIPS Connection and the dozens of Turkish doctoral students who are studying on the Denton campus, or have already graduated. The TIPS/UNT partnership is a good example of the type of broad and deep network of connections the university seeks with its most important strategic partners. Turkey is a key partner and ally for the United States and an important economic, cultural, and political bridge between Europe and the Middle East.

The Turkish National Police’s strong commitment to graduate education and the institution of modern and democratic policing is what makes TIPS possible. UNT’s strength in criminal justice studies and other disciplines of interest to TNP and the university’s strong interest in Turkey form the basis of this important collaboration. It is the hope of Dr. Bataille, and everyone at UNT involved in the TIPS project, that TIPS, TNP, and UNT will continue to develop additional forms of cooperation. For example, the important TIPS sponsored international “Conference on Democracy and Global Security,” and TNP’s work training police officials from other nations in Turkey’s region are important multilateral international activities in which UNT would like to become more involved. In the future, UNT would like to partner with Turkey, with TNP and TIPS to bring UNT programs to Turkey. UNT would also like to increase the numbers of faculty and students traveling to Turkey. In this way the university plans to expand the web of connections and networks of communication tying Turkey and UNT together in friendship and partnership.

Dr. Bataille has launched a number of new initiatives to enhance the international character of the university. In August, I assumed my responsibilities as the first Vice Provost and Associate Vice President for International Education in the university’s history. The International Office is expected to develop a global network of strategic alliances with key countries and university partners with the TIPS/Turkey partnership as a model. UNT is busy strengthening its ties with neighboring Mexico and Latin America. Thailand, a country where more than 700 UNT alumni already live and work, will begin to send dozens of Ph.D. students to UNT and around Texas through a UNT-led initiative. China and Hong Kong are also areas where strategic alliances are being formed and new initiatives will be launched in the near future. The university is also looking for ways to become more involved in the Middle East, Africa, and elsewhere in the developing world. Moreover, the university’s unique and holistic approach to environmental issues, international waterways, and the ethics governing economic growth and development also hold promise for a rich network of international collaborations.

The University of North Texas is an institution with a global focus and has much to offer the world. Under the leadership of President Gretchen Bataille and building on the successful experience partnering with TIPS, the future promises many new international connections for this emerging research university.

*Dr. Gibbons is the Vice Provost and Associate Vice President for International Education at UNT