OISE at MSU

10/20/2026

Looking forward to attending this VIPP event and meeting many of the alumni from their programs. Can’t wait to hear the panel too!

10/20/2026

On 26 October, Dr. Amita Chudgar, Professor and Associate Dean in the Michigan State University College of Education will moderate a panel discussion exploring how Artificial Intelligence is shaping research, industry, and education.

The discussion is part of MSU VIPP's 35th Anniversary and will take place during the Alumni Reunion event in Nanjing, China.

The Office of International Studies in Education (OISE) advances global perspectives in teaching, research, and outreach. OISE works with Michigan Virtual to offer online Chinese language courses for students throughout the state of Michigan and beyond. OISE also runs the World Language Teacher Certification Program (WLTCP), offering master’s degree in Chinese language teaching through the Department of Teacher Education.
Gina McGarey Nancy Romig

10/15/2026

Earlier this month, Michigan State University (MSU) alum and current Director of the International office at Uin Sulthan Thaha Saifuddin Mendalo Jambi, Dr. Dion Efrijum Ginanto, shared his lessons learned from COIL programming in Indonesia.

COIL, or Collaborative Online International Learning, is a teaching and learning method that fosters cross-cultural student competence through multicultural, virtual learning environments that link university courses in different countries.

“I was the first instructor offering COIL on our campus, in partnership with Dr. Salah Hassan at MSU,” explained Ginanto.

While each professor taught their own course, they collaborated to design a weeks-long, shared module that would be part of both courses. “We had to find courses with a connection. In Malay Studies, we learn about Islam which was easy to link to Islamic architecture at MSU,” Ginanto continued.

The students worked together to identify architecture in Indonesia and prepare questions for local experts. Separately, the Indonesian students took photos and conducted the interviews while MSU students tapped their access to extensive research resources. Together, they produced joint articles for their university websites.

When asked what students thought of COIL, Ginanto answered, “They were happy because they never imagined interacting with US college students and professors [on academic topics].” Reflecting, he added, “While we may not have as many privileges as the West, the technology we have right now makes it possible for small universities to take advantage of COIL. It’s a global educational experience without the price tag of travel.”

The Office of International Studies in Education advances global perspectives in teaching, research, and outreach and will be launching an inaugural COIL Fellowship for Michigan State University College of Education and international colleagues this year.

10/13/2026

How can researchers use AI responsibly in academic writing and scholarly publishing? This question is at the heart of a three-year research project funded by the Committee of Science of Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education which is being implemented at Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University.

Former Bolashak International Scholars Aliya Zadakhanova and Dr. Gaukhar Yersultanova who attended Michigan State University and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign respectively returned this month to exchange expertise and reconnect with academic mentors.

“We’ll be speaking with colleagues and mentors from our time as Bolashak scholars to identify who may want to co-publish with us,” Dr. Yersultanova, Assistant Professor at SDU University, Kazakhstan explained.

The pair are among some 200 researchers that receive funding from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education each year. “The Ministry offers incredible opportunities for research and collaboration,” shared Zadakhanova, Head of Internationalization of Educational Programs at Kazakh National Women's Teacher Training University.

The two expressed “sincere gratitude to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, Michigan State University College of Education, OISE at MSU, Science Department, Amita Chudgar, Doug Hartman, Philip Montgomery, and all colleagues supporting this initiative.”

The Office of International Studies in Education advances global perspectives in teaching, research, and outreach.
Centre for International Programmes - Bolashaq MSU VIPP Jessica Gfunk

10/09/2026

A message from Amita Chudgar and Lynn Paine: “As the current and former Associate Deans of International Education, it is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of our beloved John "Jack" Schwille.”

“While our journeys to and through MSU have been different in many ways, Jack was instrumental in both of our paths and an incredible source of support throughout our professional careers. We are certain that he touched many of your lives in similarly meaningful ways. We will miss him terribly.”

A professor emeritus and former associate dean for the Office of International Studies in Education (OISE), Schwille was with the college from September 1977 until May 2013. Beyond his scholarly work, including authoring an in-depth book about internationalization in the Michigan State University College of Education, “Internationalizing a School of Education: Integration and Infusion in Practice” (MSU Press, 2016), Schwille was a friend, mentor, and colleague to many.

“His vision for internationalization and his tireless efforts at MSU helped create the distinctive College of Education that we are. He…regularly helped me see why our college was a uniquely stimulating community for learning and professional growth[.] I know he helped bring many…faculty and students from all over the world to MSU, always showing genuine interest in our work and eager to help connect us to new possibilities,” shared Paine.

Chudgar reflected on a sentiment that Schwille shared that has stuck with her, “Jack was incredibly successful, a brilliant scholar, thinker, senior leader. But…what I remember most is something he…shared in a speech before his retirement. He…said, ‘Ultimately, what matters to me are people.’ It is rare to meet senior scholars of Jack’s distinguished standing who are also so deeply dedicated to the people they work with.”

The Office of International Studies in Education advances global perspectives in teaching, research, and outreach.
Julie Ann Sinclair Samantha Caughlan Nancy Romig Christine Caster

10/08/2026

Posting live from the Global Learning Expo at the Breslin Center! Open til 5pm today—beautiful day to stop by!
Julie Ann Sinclair Katie Youmans Heather Shea

10/08/2026

From the headlines... "The research is clear: international students don’t take opportunities from Americans, they create them. Driving away the talents, perspectives, and aspirations of international students will only hurt American innovation, economic growth, workforce development, and global leadership.”
-- Association of International Educators executive director and CEO Dr. Fanta Aw

Today, NAFSA joined AAU, Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, and the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts in filing a lawsuit against ICE, DHS, and the Department of Justice in response to two broadcast messages that suddenly–and without explanation–drastically changed ICE's interpretation of curricular practical training (CPT). This change has put longstanding campus practices and international students’ access to these opportunities at risk, without notice and comment or sufficient time for colleges and universities to respond.

"Changing how CPT is administered through broadcast messages, without formal rulemaking, is an aberration that must be challenged,” said NAFSA Executive Director and CEO Fanta Aw in a press statement. “These abrupt changes have placed Designated School Officials—the professionals responsible for advising international students and ensuring institutional compliance—in an untenable position, forcing them to navigate significant new restrictions and uncertainty without the clarity and due process that formal rulemaking provides."

The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, asks the court to stop the government’s actions before they cause further harm to students, universities, their communities, and the country.

Read the joint press statement for more. https://www.nafsa.org/CPT-lawsuit-filed-press-statement

10/08/2026

Stop by TODAY, Thursday, 8 October--OISE will have a booth, too!

Come see us at the Global Learning Expo on Thursday, October 8!

GenCen will be tabling from 1-5 PM at the Breslin Center, sharing information about our new London program and other global opportunities.

If you’ve been thinking about studying abroad or just want to see what options are out there, stop by our table and say hi!

10/06/2026

It’s been 8 years since Dr. Dion Efrijum Ginanto last set foot on the campus of Michigan State University (MSU). The Michigan State University College of Education (CED) alum returned last week as Director of the International Office at Uin Sulthan Thaha Saifuddin Mendalo Jambi—in that role, he encourages international student enrollment and develops partnerships with universities outside Indonesia.

Dr. Ginanto received his PhD in K-12 Educational Administration from MSU in 2018, thanks to a USAID Education scholarship program that enabled government teachers to pursue advanced degrees and a graduate assistantship from CED. “East Lansing was very welcoming, and CED is one of the best in the world,” he recalls.

After graduating, he returned home and continued teaching high school seniors but was soon tapped to help the Ministry of Education develop new curriculum that emphasized active, rather than passive, learning. Shortly thereafter, he joined the UIN faculty, but he still finds time to visit local high schools in Jambi in order to tell students about the scholarships available for post-secondary schooling.

“Students have the impression that only kids from Jakarta or Bali can apply,” explains Ginanto. The English requirements can be an issue, but he and colleagues are developing a free workshop that will help boost English test scores. “We want to water their dreams so that their pursuit of education can bloom.”

The Office of International Studies in Education advances global perspectives in teaching, research, and outreach. Give us a follow if you want to hear more about Dr. Ginanto’s recent presentation, Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL): Lessons Learned from Indonesia!

Julie Ann Sinclair Jessica Gfunk

10/05/2026

Today is World Teachers' Day! This year's theme is: 'Standing with teachers: 60 years of protecting the profession, advancing its status and shaping our futures.'

An official celebration will take place at UNESCO headquarters in France, co-convened by UNESCO, the International Labour Organization (ILO), UNICEF, and Education International. Since the original 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers, new challenges have emerged, "from digital technologies and climate change to inclusion, migration and displacement."

Our own Amita Chudgar will be participating in a panel discussion there today. Learn more here: https://www.unesco.org/en/days/teachers

You can also watch the global celebration online--see link in comments.

The Office of International Studies in Education advances global perspectives in teaching, research, and outreach.

5 October