UFIC Announces Call for Nominations for Two Important Awards: International Educator of the Year and Global Learning Excellence Awards 2025! 

The UF International Center is pleased to invite nominations for the 2025 International Educator of the Year (IEY) and the Global Learning Excellence (GLE) Awards. These awards embody the mission of the International Center and support UF’s preeminence as a global leader.

Both awards will be presented at a reception at the Keene Faculty Center on Monday, November 17, 2025, during International Education Week. Nominations for both awards must be received by Friday, October 10th at 4PM.

The International Educator of the Year Awards are made annually in recognition of the outstanding contributions of faculty and staff to the internationalization of the University of Florida....

Helping his hometown, a UF grad opens an independent pharmacy in Puerto Rico
08/18/25

Source: UF College of Pharmacy

Nestled on the northwestern coast of Puerto Rico, the Lagunas sector of the Aguada community has always lacked something essential — a local independent pharmacy. For years, residents traveled 10 miles to a nearby town for medications, a major hurdle for those without reliable transportation. 

That changed when David Mendoza Soto, Pharm.D., a 2022 graduate of the University of Florida College of Pharmacy, opened Aguada’s first independent pharmacy last fall. Now, medications and even vaccinations are available in the pharmacy or delivered to residents’ doors, improving access to care and...

UF Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Swiss Partners to Advance In-Space Research and Workforce Development
08/18/25

Source: UF Astraeus Space Institute

By Emily Hinds. 

The University of Florida (UF), through a coalition of space-focused initiatives including the Astraeus Space Institute, the In-Space Biomanufacturing Innovation Hub (In-Space Bio Hub), and the Center for Science, Technology, and Advanced Research in Space (C-STARS), has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with two prominent Swiss institutions—the Center for Space and Aviation Switzerland and Liechtenstein (CSA) and Switzerland...

UF PhD Student Represents Nepal at United Nations Human Rights Summit

 

Ashra Kunwar, a PhD student in Environmental Sociology at the University of Florida, recently represented Nepal at the 19th International Youth for Human Rights Summit held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. She was the only Nepali delegate and speaker at the event, which brought together Nobel Peace Prize laureates, permanent UN representatives, global activists, artists, and leaders of international organizations.

From the UN stage, Kunwar addressed urgent issues facing Nepal, including the impacts of...

Global Fellows Program Supports International Residency Professor Christopher Scanlon
08/18/25

Christopher Scanlon, D.M.A., Assistant Professor of Trumpet at the University of Florida College of the Arts, recently returned from an impactful guest artist residency at the Festival Internacional de Música Alfredo de Saint Malo in Panama City, Panama, from July 20–26. His participation was made possible by a Global Fellows award from the UF International Center (UFIC).

During his residency, Dr. Scanlon significantly contributed to the festival, performing as a featured soloist with Panama’s prestigious National Youth Concert Band. He provided intensive educational experiences for young musicians through trumpet masterclasses, private lessons, orchestra sectionals, and chamber...

Hanyu Luo - International Student Council
08/18/25

Hanyu Luo is an undergraduate student from Chongqing, China, a vibrant city known for its mountainous landscapes and spicy hotpot. At the University of Florida, she is majoring in Food Science through the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, with plans to double major in Statistics. Hanyu is passionate about the intersection of food, health, and data, and she’s especially interested in how scientific research can be applied to improve public well-being. Before coming to UF, Hanyu attended an international high school in China, where she was exposed to both Western and Chinese educational systems. Since arriving in Gainesville, she has immersed herself in volunteer work, joined...

Aiming Big and Putting Students First Podcast
08/04/25

Episode 10: Double Your Impact Without Doubling Your Workload

with JILL BLONDIN (Vice Provost for Global Initiatives Virginia Commonwealth University)

 

Uncertainty on the global stage doesn’t have to stall study abroad or international student programs. Jill Blondin, Vice Provost for Global Initiatives at Virginia Commonwealth University, shares her leadership approach to keeping doors open, even amid shifting politics and compliance challenges. In this episode, Jill discusses how VCU is working to double international student enrollment through bold strategy, data-informed decisions, and programs that put students...

Patrick Reakes Appointed Interim Dean of UF Libraries
08/04/25

Source: Communication.uflib.ufl.edu

Effective July 21, Patrick Reakes will serve as interim dean of the George A. Smathers Libraries following the retirement of Judy Russell, who served as the first Dean of University Libraries for 18 years.

“Judy left a really strong tradition of having high-quality Libraries for UF, and I want to make sure we keep moving forward with that legacy. The flagship university should have flagship libraries,” said Reakes.

Reakes has been senior associate dean of scholarly resources and services since...

‘Man versus machine’ up for debate at the International Internship Conference
08/04/25

Source: The Pie

By Maureen Manning

The 2025 International Internship Conference (IIC), recently held in Minneapolis brought together global leaders in higher education, industry, and government to explore the intersection between technology and international experiential learning.

Attendees from across the globe gathered to engage in sessions that ranged from employer site visits to focused panels and social receptions. Delegates included international internship providers, faculty, government...

A first Attempt: UF in Italy-Automotive Industries to Urban Planning
08/04/25

On June 1, 2025, in Parma, Italy, 20 University of Florida Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering students and an ESSIE faculty member and an ESSIE administrator all arrived and settled into their accommodations in the city center to begin their exciting exploration of UF in Italy- Automotive Industries to Urban Planning. The month-long program incorporated a two-week transportation course taught by UF ESSIE’s Dr. Lily Elefteriadou and a 4-week project course led by UF ESSIE’s Ms. Nancy McIlrath.   On June 2, a holiday in Parma, the group was given an orientation about the program, the city and the culture.  They then took a walking tour of the city and had their first Italian style...

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