History of International Activities at The University of Montana

The University of Montana accepted its first exchange student, Alex Stepanzoff in the early 1920's. In 1924, with four other Russian exchange students, Alex started the International Student Club. This is the oldest student organization on campus. UM received approval from the Immigration and Naturalization Service to enroll foreign students on October 12, 1948. Until 1972, a faculty member was assigned the role of Foreign Student Advisor. In 1972, UM hired its first full-time Foreign Student Advisor. The office was located in the Center for Student Development.

Study Abroad Programs began in 1971 with programs in France, Germany, and Spain. Foreign Languages faculty members were also involved in development of study abroad programs in China and Mexico during this same period. The University of Montana was a member of the Northwest Council on Study Abroad from 1967-85.

In the early 1980's, at the urging of Senator Mike Mansfield, the State of Montana and Kumamoto Prefecture in Japan initiated their sister-state relationship. Neil Bucklew became UM President in 1981 and under his guidance the Mansfield Center was established that year. The International Committee began operations in 1982 under the Associate Provost for Academic Affairs.

UM began offering a Certificate of Accomplishment in Teaching English as a Second Language in 1981. The University became a mentor institution to Petaling Jaya Community College in Malaysia in 1984. The Sophia University Student Exchange, the first direct student exchange program was inaugurated in 1985.

James Koch became UM President in 1986 and the Hangzhou University (China) student/scholar exchange began. A self-study of international activities was undertaken that same year. One of the recommendations of this study was the establishment of the International Programs. An internal search was done and a half-time director was hired. A part-time secretary was also hired. In 1987, the Kumamoto University and Massey University (New Zealand) student exchanges began and the International Programs undertook the management of three visiting scholar housing units.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Northwest Plateau Institute of Biology of China and the Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit in 1987. Faculty exchange began in 1987 with Toyo University (Japan), in 1988 with the Kumamoto Prefecture Universities, and in 1989 with Shanghai International Studies University.

Mr. Tsukasa Karashima, President of Kumamoto Foreign Language Academy, endowed the University with a gift of 100 million Yen in 1989 to create an endowed chair and professorship in Japanese literature and culture. The Karashima chair was first filled in 1991.

In 1988, the Toyo Language and Culture Institute was initiated and in 1989 the Kumamoto Gakuen University Institute began. George Dennison was named UM President in 1990, and the Toyo University student exchange was launched.

The Chiang-Ching Kuo Foundation Chinese language grant was funded in 1991. This funding supported a Chinese faculty position in Foreign Languages and Literatures for three years. That same year the University was awarded the USAID/University Development Linkages Grant (Belize). The University was admitted to the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) in 1991.

In 1992, the faculty and staff exchanges with the University College of Belize began and an International Memorandum of Understanding was signed with Nankai University. That same year, exchanges with the Karashima Foreign Language Academy and the Kumamoto Prefecture Teacher Program began.

An International Memorandum of Understanding was signed in 1993 with Shenzhen University. During the same year, The University of Montana joined the Consortium for International Development - a multi-university group of western land grant and state universities that collaborate on international development projects.

In 1994, an International Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the University of Heidelberg (Germany) and Westminster College (U.K.). A staff exchange with the University of Joensuu (Finland) began that same year.

In 1996, International Memoranda of Understanding were signed with the Universidad Autonoma de Baja California (Mexico) and Universidad de Concepcion (Chile) and Exchange Agreements were signed with Aarhus University (Denmark) and Universite de Sanit-Louis (Senegal).

In 1997, a graduate student exchange was established with Waikato University (New Zealand).

In 1998, faculty, staff and student exchange agreements were signed with Pontifica Universidad Catolica de Chile, the University of Alberta (Canada), the University of Calgary (Canada), and the University of Joensuu (Finland).

In 1999, exchange agreements were signed with Charles Sturt University (Australia), Andong Institute of Information Technology (Korea), Bangkok University International College (Thailand), Utrecht University (Netherlands), University College Northampton (U.K.), and University of Helsinki.

In 2000, exchange agreements were signed with Kangnung National University (Korea), Tunghai University (Taiwan), Universidad de Monterrey (Mexico), and Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane (Morocco).

In October 2002, President George Dennison visited Republic of Georgia and Kyrgyzstan. In Tbilisi, Georgia, the President signed a memorandum of understanding with Tbilisi Institute of Asia and Africa (TIAA). Another Georgian institution of higher education, Kutaisi State University also agreed to establish academic ties with The University of Montana. Negotiations in Kyrgyzstan resulted in a close cooperation between The University of Montana and Naryn State University, which agreed to host a delegation from The University of Montana in summer 2003. In return, The University of Montana agreed to host and train the Naryn State University's Rector as well as its Director of International Programs in fall 2003 and winter 2004.

In October 2003, President Dennison visited South Korea and Japan. In his visit to South Korea, the President signed a memorandum of understanding with Andong National University and Ajou University. In Japan, the President signed an agreement of cooperation with Meisei University and conducted discussions about joint scientific conferences with Toyo University in Tokyo.