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Office of International Affairs Joins Research Affairs

In a move designed to better align academic support programs, the Office of International Affairs, previously under Academic Affairs, has joined the Office of Research Affairs under the Vice Chancellor for Research.

The Office of International Affairs (OIA) provides strategic planning and support for UC San Diego's engagement with the world outside the United States and assists the campus in defining objectives for collaboration in education, research, and service with institutions in other countries. The OIA also serves as a resource for academic divisions, research units and professional schools for executing their international strategies, and works with university leaders to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of processes that support global education and research.

Annually, OIA vets about 50 collaboration proposals with universities and research institutions abroad, and makes recommendations on about 30 requests from high-level representatives of universities and research institutions abroad to meet with UC San Diego faculty and leadership to discuss potential collaborations.

Michelle L. Hermas, who joined the office in 2006, will continue as Director of the organization. In addition to her duties as director of OIA, she co-chairs the International Staff Council, serves on the Global Health Initiative Steering Committee, and contributes to ad-hoc work-groups relevant to the university's international connections and partnerships. More information about OIA is available on its website: http://ia.ucsd.edu/.

Sandra A. Brown Vice Chancellor for Research