UPEI Shares Expertise in Student Success with University in Cairo
An innovative Student Success Program (SSP) at the University of Prince Edward Island has caught the attention of academic planners in Egypt. This week, Tamara Leary, who developed the program as part of her work in the UPEI Student Services department, flies to Cairo to share her expertise with students and faculty at Misr International University (MIU). MIU is a leading university in the Egyptian private university system.
"This is an exciting opportunity for UPEI," says Vianne Timmons, Vice-President of Academic Development. "Internationalization is a priority for UPEI and this is a wonderful example of how expertise can be shared. Tamara Leary has been instrumental in developing initiatives to improve student success and Misr is very interested in developing a program that models ours."
The UPEI Student Success Program provides students who are experiencing a variety of academic challenges with the information and supports they need to address these challenges, enhance their study skills, and begin to develop a long-term educational and career plan. Many students who have taken the program are now benefiting from a much more positive educational experience.
"Students' evaluation of our success program is high, and the data we have collected supports a positive correlation between students who take SSP and students who improve their academic standing," explains Leary. She adds that the program is well suited to the needs of students attending a major international university such as Misr.
"Misr has a vested interest in providing academic supports and services that some of their student population may be accustomed to," she explains. "I will work with their faculty and students to determine what the learning needs and expectations are, and I will develop the program and train their faculty and staff to deliver the material to students."
This new partnership is one of several that UPEI has with Misr University. Earlier this year UPEI signed an agreement that allows full-time students to obtain credits towards their degrees while studying in Cairo. This is one of a growing number of exchange programs that make it possible for UPEI students to travel the world while furthering their education.
