“The Global Hub is a website, a database, and an interactive map,” began University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, at a town hall announcing the launch of the Global Hub. “But more than that, it’s an investment in the necessary staffing and leadership so that we have the expertise to develop and implement world-class global programs with our vast network of international partners.”
Jarrell explained that the 2020 Internationalization Report called for the University to build strong administrative structures to support global engagement, including streamlining processes for travel and reimbursement.
“As you will see today, the Global Hub delivers on this demonstrated need in these ways and many more,” he said.
Assistant Vice President for Global Engagement Virginia Rowthorn, JD, LLM, added that the establishment of the Global Hub represents an important step forward in UMB’s mission to improve the human condition by enabling and strengthening global health and education partnerships.
“This is an incredibly important investment on the part of the University that will undergird [and grow] our strong global portfolio,” she told the virtual audience of educators, researchers, and students.
Rowthorn also introduced Global Hub co-director Anna Schowengerdt, MS, who joined UMB in September. Schowengerdt brings 25 years of leadership experience in global development and humanitarian assistance, working with such agencies as Save the Children and the International Youth Foundation.
The Global Hub, she said, is essentially a new service for all UMB schools and programs who are or are interested in running research and/or educational programs internationally.
“The Global Hub will support the UMB community to understand and follow University policies, business processes, and best practice standards. We focus on a range of functions that are not always visible and can sometimes be overlooked, but are critical to ensure international programs happen safely, efficiently, and cost effectively, in compliance with the laws and requirements of countries where the activity is taking place, and in consideration of equity and inclusion in a global context,” she said.
Another member of the Global Hub leadership team introduced at the virtual launch town hall was Herty Cortez Diaz, director of risk management in the International Operations department. Cortez Diaz walked the audience through the Global Hub website to explain its functions, including policies and procedures, travel links, lodging, reimbursement, and more.
“We have tried to streamline this process as much as possible,” he explained. “If you need more information about a memorandum of understanding between UMB and an international partner, you can now find the detailed processes explaining roles and responsibilities and checklists that support your planning. “
To help those not yet involved in an international program better understand the challenges and rewards, the Global Hub team also showcased three case studies — programs now operating in Rwanda, The Gambia, and Malawi — a program with which Rowthorn has a great deal of experience.
“The Global Hub has experts in international procurement who will help navigate the informal service provider economy. Another area where we needed support was understanding considerations around student safety and helping students develop situational awareness around things like whether or not to hire local taxis. These are things the Global Hub has the expertise to support,” Rowthorn explained. “On the flip side, the Global Hub can help with expertise about visas and invitation letters when our collaborators visit Baltimore. Overall, the team that created this innovative Malawi program would have greatly benefited from having the support of the Global Hub from the start. We warmly welcome anyone planning education abroad to reach out to the Global Hub for support.”
Watch the entire town hall, including questions from the audience, at the link at the top of this page.