Arthur F. Thurnau Associate Professor Aline Cotel has been appointed Faculty Advisor of the International Programs in Engineering (IPE), effective September 1, 2020, through August 2023. Cotel will facilitate communication between the College of Engineering and the IPE and oversee student and professional development and the program’s academic quality, integrity and strategic vision.
The IPE encompasses several international academic and co-curricular student activities, including study abroad programs, volunteer or community engagement trips, internships and conference participation. One in three U-M Engineering students has an international experience by the time they graduate, with 909 students visiting 60 countries in the 2018-2019 academic year.
“I am delighted to start as Faculty Advisor of the International Programs in Engineering this coming September and am excited to join a team of outstanding and passionate staff members, following in the footsteps of amazing colleagues,” says Cotel. “We are constantly reminded, even more so these days, how crucial it is for our students to gain international exposure and be comfortable and productive in intercultural settings.”
Among the IPE’s learning goals are cultural awareness, open-mindedness, communication skills, travel competence and resourcefulness. IPE is similarly committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, and IPE faculty and staff seek “to help all students see themselves as multicultural technologists.”
“I look forward to continuing the brilliant work that has been done so far, possibly expanding some of our existing offerings on the African continent, and providing international hands-on opportunities either in industry or community settings. As a faculty member at U-M, I have been very fortunate to be involved in a variety of international projects in Liberia, Ghana, South Africa, Cameroon, Guyana and France, I plan to leverage these relationships and experiences in my new role in IPE,” says Cotel.
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