OIA History
Celebrating More Than 30 Years of Engaging the World through Education and Partnership
In January 1989, IUPUI's Office of International Programs and Office of International Services merged to create what we now know as the Office of International
International IUPUI through the Years
1960s & 1970s
1969 IU and Purdue merged their Indianapolis campuses to create IUPUI.
1973 The Chancellor's Committee on International Programs was formed, a committee of around 40 faculty with international interests from many schools at IUPUI.
1973 The first IUPUI Study Abroad
programlaunched to Dijon, France. The Dijon Overseas Study Program was begun by Prof. Leon Bourke, French Department, in a position funded by Dean Joseph Taylor.1979 The Offices of International Programs and International Student Services were formed following a NAFSA consultation and faculty study.
1980s & 1990s
1984 As part of Indiana University's partnership with Malaysia’s Institut Teknologi MARA (Majlis Amana Rakyat), IUPUI offered accredited coursework in Malaysia with curriculum support from IUPUI faculty. Over twelve years, this agreement educated 4,000 Malaysian students with IUPUI coursework.
1985 The International Student Services staff, with three staff members, moved to the Union Building.
1986 The “International Society” student organization was organized as a precursor to today's International Club. By 1987, approximately 10% of students attended events.
1989 In January 1989, International Programs and International Student Services were integrated to create the IUPUI Office of International Affairs with Patricia Biddinger named as founding director.
1989 The IU School of Medicine made its first visit to Eldoret, led by Dr. Robert Einterz, which served as the founding visit for what would become the award-winning AMPATH consortium.
1991 The International House opened in Warthin Apartments with 70 U.S. and international students from 30 countries.
1993 Giles R. Hoyt, Professor of German, was named the first IUPUI Associate Dean of International Programs.
1994 Between 1994-1998, IUPUI partnered with Malaysia’s national power company, Tenaga Nasional, to aid in the establishment of engineering degree programs at Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN), including the development of academic infrastructure and curriculum with faculty exchanges. One hundred and twenty-five Malaysian students from those initial classes went on to complete their degrees at IUPUI.
2000s
2003 Susan Buck Sutton was appointed as Associate Dean for International Affairs.
2004 OIA moved locations from the Union Building to its current location on the 2nd floor of the Education/Social Work Building.
2004 OIA held the first Study Abroad Photo Contest.
2004 The first International Festival was held at IUPUI.
2004 The International Peer Mentoring Program was started at IUPUI.
2005 The International Studies major was established at IUPUI in the School of Liberal Arts.
2006 OIA opened the Global Crossroads classroom to facilitate virtual international exchange at IUPUI.
2006 IUPUI formed a strategic partnership with Moi University in Kenya.
2006 Chancellor Bantz declared 2006 "The Year of Study Abroad" at IUPUI
2007 International student enrollment at IUPUI surpassed 1,000 students.
2007 Susan Buck Sutton was named Associate Vice Chancellor of IUPUI and Associate Vice President of Indiana University.
2008 IUPUI signed a second strategic partnership with Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, China.
2008 The IU-Kenya partnership received the International Citizen of the Year Award from the International Center of Indianapolis.
2009 IUPUI received the prestigious Heiskell International Education Award for international partnerships for institutional connections in Kenya, China, and Mexico.
2010s
2011 IUPUI was awarded the Senator Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization by NAFSA.
2012 Gil Latz was named the Associate Vice Chancellor for International Affairs at IUPUI and Associate Vice President of Indiana University.
2013 Global Jags Connect (previously known as International Host Program) was founded, connecting IUPUI international students with the campus and community members.
2015 The Office of International Affairs opened its "OIA North" office at the Waterway Building, housing the Department of International Admissions.
2015 International student enrollment at IUPUI surpassed 2,000 students.
2016 Annual participation in study abroad at IUPUI surpassed 500 students during the 2015-16 academic year.
2018 IUPUI celebrated its first-ever Study Abroad Day.
2019 Hilary Kahn was named Associate Vice Chancellor for International Affairs at IUPUI.
