International Programs in Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (IPFANS) is a nexus within the college connecting our collegiate community to the global community. IPFANS seeks to integrate an international perspective into the land-grant mission of teaching, research and outreach. In conjunction with the priorities of the college, the office provides avenues for our faculty, staff and students to interact or have a first-hand experience with our peers and colleagues outside the USA.

IPFANS accomplishes our mission by:

• Supporting our faculty and researchers to establish international programs of collaboration.
  Beginning with current faculty efforts, IPFANS works to expand individual relationships into institutional partnerships. IPFANS manages the administrative tasks to facilitate these international exchanges as identified by departments and faculty.

• Providing leadership to offer options for international experiences for our students.
  International Programs leverages the logistical support from the University of Minnesota’s Global Programs and Strategies Alliance to develop quality student programs through partner universities matching our degree program requirements. MAST International offers an alternative international experience through a reciprocal work and cultural exchange program.

• Promoting faculty expertise in support of USDA/ NIFA and USDA/FAS international initiatives.
  IPFANS serves as the liaison on behalf of the college with the USDA to connect the research and outreach expertise of our faculty to the needs for education and training requests of the USDA offices.

• Joining the land-grant university community to reinvigorate agricultural and natural resources research and training in USAID rural development programs.
  IPFANS represents the college in the national effort to expand the role of research and training within USAID priorities for the development of countries around the world.

• Enhancing the internationalization of the curriculum within the college.
  In collaboration with the faculty and the Undergraduate Policy and Review Committee, IPFANS assists in the development of materials for courses to prepare students for the multicultural world of work they are entering.

History

IPFANS was founded in 1954 to coordinate the international development activities of the University of Minnesota’s Institute of Agriculture, Forestry and Home Economics. Since that time, International Programs has demonstrated its leadership capacity on a number of agricultural projects, coordinating the involvement of St. Paul Campus’ faculty and resources in countries around the globe. International Programs is a service unit within the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences Dean’s Office for faculty participating in technical assistance programs overseas.

Functions

Each project is unique in the duties performed by IPFANS staff. In general, a project consists of the following components: technical assistance, supply and equipment procurement and training. The level of activity for these components depends on the project goals and corresponding objectives. The International Programs staff coordinate the resources found within the college necessary to implement our international projects. Professors who travel overseas provide technical assistance and organize training or academic programs integral to developing the human resources necessary for the long-term sustainability of the endeavor.