INTO University Partnerships, alongside Oregon State University (OSU), are marking a remarkable 15-year journey of a partnership that has profoundly influenced the academic paths of countless international students.
Established in 2008, the aim was to enhance OSU’s presence on the global stage. The partnership has been pivotal in providing international students with an extensive range of academic support and services. This includes direct entry and bespoke preparatory programs across all undergraduate fields, as well as a diverse suite of postgraduate degrees, securing OSU’s position in the top 1.4% of universities worldwide and among the top 20% in the US for graduate earnings.
The INTO OSU Centre, situated on the historic OSU campus, acts as a vibrant centre of academic and personal growth, supported by the dedicated staff and faculty.
This innovative centre in the US has been central to the academic success of over 11,900 international students from more than 155 countries, guiding them to excel in their chosen fields. INTO OSU-supported students have proudly represented all 11 of OSU’s academic colleges at the doctoral level.
Edward Feser, Provost and Executive Vice President at Oregon State University and a member of the INTO OSU Board, shared: “In 15 years of collaboration, the INTO Oregon State University partnership helped bring more than 12,000 international students to OSU. This has strengthened the university by enriching the intercultural experiences of domestic students; providing support for faculty hires, infrastructure, and study abroad opportunities; influencing improvements to our academic program mix; and elevating OSU’s global visibility and brand.”
John Sykes, CEO of INTO University Partnerships, expressed: “Our partnership with Oregon State University marked a real breakthrough moment in US public universities’ approach to internationalizing the student experience. We could not be prouder of our partnership and what it has accomplished. It has been a privilege to watch the life-changing experiences this great American university has delivered to the thousands of Chinese students who made Corvallis their home.”
Bob Gilmour, INTO OSU’s Executive Director, stated: “At INTO OSU, we’re so proud of the students we have supported over the last 15 years and the range of academic, personal, and professional successes that they have gone on to achieve. Over that time, it’s really been an honor to have been a part of a team of people at INTO OSU that shows up every day to put students first and provide them with the support and experience that they deserve.
“With both INTO and OSU’s combined efforts, this pioneering Centre has played a significant role in raising the standards and expectations for international student support in higher education from application to graduation and beyond. And as a team, we at INTO OSU look forward to the next 15 years with as much passion and excitement as the day this innovative model was conceived.”
The partnership continues to achieve exceptional results in student satisfaction and retention. OSU’s introduction of International Direct Services in 2020, aimed at providing personalized academic and personal support to all international undergraduates in their initial year, has been instrumental in ensuring a smooth commencement to their degree programs at OSU. Since the inception of INTO OSU, first-year student retention rates have impressively escalated to 95%.
INTO University Partnerships has been instrumental in linking determined international students with leading universities in the US, UK, and Australia. Since its establishment in 2005, INTO has aided over 150,000 students from 180 countries in achieving their academic aspirations at world-class universities.