Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed a proclamation Monday morning commending Troy University for its “major leadership role” in international education.

Officially recognizing Nov. 15-19 as International Education Week, the proclamation pointed to the tremendous economic impact that international education plays both nationally and in Alabama and celebrated the role TROY plays as Alabama’s International University.

“Troy University has enabled all students to benefit from exposure to classmates from different nations and cultures, with the goal of preparing them to excel in the international marketplace that awaits them after graduation,” the proclamation read. “The international students who study in our great nation return home as goodwill ambassadors for the State of Alabama and the United States of America.”

Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor, said the proclamation reflects Gov. Ivey’s recognition of the importance of a global education.

“The Governor’s recognition of the importance of a global education is in inherent in the proclamation she signed today,” Dr. Hawkins said. “It also reflects the importance of international students on the economy, both nationally and in the state of Alabama. International education has an annual impact of almost $50 billion on the U.S. economy and an annual impact of $326 million to Alabama’s economy.”

Dr. Hawkins said TROY’s emphasis on global education has a tremendous impact on students.

“In today’s global village it is particularly important that our students are not only exposed to the world around them but that they understand the competitive nature of our economy and world systems,” Dr. Hawkins said. “We have focused on bringing the world to TROY and have succeeded by having students from more than 75 countries study with us. Likewise, we have continued to plant the TROY flag throughout the world in faraway places such as Malaysia and Vietnam. The third dimension is to carry our students to the world via study abroad. We want our students to be globally competitive and globally aware, and we believe they are.”

International Education Week activities kicked off on the Troy Campus on Sunday with an international soccer tournament and continued Monday afternoon with a free Recycled Printmaking Workshop inspired by the artwork of Janet Nolan at TROY’s International Arts Center. TROY students were able to create artwork by using recycled materials in recognition of both International Education Week and America Recycles Day.

A badminton tournament for students was also scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Trojan Health and Fitness Center.

On Tuesday, Freshman Forum and the International Students Association are scheduled to present their annual Feast with Friends. An international blood drive also will be held on the Barnes & Noble patio outside of the Trojan Center on the Troy Campus from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

International student organizations will present “Taste of the World” from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday in front of John R. Lewis Hall on the main quad. International students will honor their professors on Thursday with “Bring a Professor to Lunch” in the Stadium Towers at Veterans Memorial Stadium. 

Throughout the week, special international dishes will be served by Trojan Dining.