At the dawn of the twenty-first century, it has become evident that our world is becoming smaller. The interdependence of nations requires that we be willing both to learn and to teach. In order to achieve its mission of providing a center of substance and excellence that is a setting for the emergence of scholars, leaders and thinkers who fulfill their domestic responsibilities in a world with inevitably increasing global dimensions, Alabama A&M University is expected to enhance its international character.

Reports and recommendations from various bodies and task forces commissioned by the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC) and other institutions have highlighted the need for internationalizing American universities and have provided broad visions and strategic guidelines.

In 1998, this Alabama A&M University’s Director of International Programs, was called upon by the USDA to undertake the coordination of the work of a National Task Force established under the auspices of the Board on Agriculture of NASULGC to develop an agenda for the Globalization of Agricultural Science and Education Programs for America (GASEPA). The outcome of the work of the Task Force was an agenda that was approved by the Board on Agriculture of NASULGC and was incorporated in a U.S. congressional language of the Farm Bill for the Internationalization of Agricultural Science and Education at American Colleges and Universities to maintain and strengthen the competitiveness of American Agriculture in the emerging global market. This has culminated in a line item congressional appropriation for a competitive grant program on International Science and Education to be administered by USDA-CSREES.

Recognizing the inevitability of meeting the globalization challenge to fulfill the mission of Alabama A&M University, an attempt is made to formulate for the University’s International Education Programs a Vision that recognizes or focuses on how Alabama A&M will provide beneficial outcomes and impacts to its stakeholders, the changes that need to take place in order to realize the vision. The OIP's Strategic Plan provides a reiteration of the mission and identification of our strategic goals and objectives for the University’s International Education and Development Programs.

The successful pursuit of this vision and the achievement of the goals and objectives as contained in our Strategic Plan will ensure the fulfillment of the University’s mission, part of which is to maintain and enhance its excellence in teaching, discovery and scholarship and outreach to produce “society-ready” graduates who will compete and effectively participate in the 21st century global market.

Dr. B. Onuma Okezie, Ph.D.,
Professor, Food Science and Nutrition,
Director, Office of International Programs