MSU VIPP

10/05/2026

Featuring another bright scholar in honor of 35 years of VIPP! 🤩🎉

From Kazakhstan to campus, Bolashak scholar Isatay Jakupov, Ph.D. has taken numerous opportunities to dive deeper into scientific collaboration within the related fields of veterinary science and agriculture.

Dr. Jakupov recently completed a 12-month scientific internship at Michigan State while representing Kazakhstan and the Saken Seifullin Universiteti 🇰🇿

His internship in the reproductive physiology laboratory under the supervision of Dr. Augusto Madureira explored various methods for detecting pregnancy-specific proteins in cattle 🧬👨‍🔬

One of his notable achievements was co-authoring a scientific publication with Dr. Madureira: "Clinical trials of a test kit for the visual diagnosis of uterine diseases in cows," successfully published in the Central Asian Journal of Veterinary Science in 2026.

“I appreciated the enthusiasm and dedication he brought to the lab during his time with us,” Dr. Madureira said. “He worked independently while also being receptive to feedback and collaboration, and consistently approached the work with curiosity, care, and professionalism.”

Utilizing the immersive scientific experiences he gained at MSU, Jakupov will continue his work in the study of modern veterinary diagnostic methods and strengthen international professional connections for future research projects.

Read more about Dr. Jakupov ➡️ https://vipp.isp.msu.edu/news_article/24312

If you want to share your VIPP story, email [email protected].

Centre for International Programmes - Bolashaq MSU International Studies and Programs Michigan State University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

10/01/2026

Club Spartan, China officially launches in Nanjing during our Alumni Reunion this month!

Club Spartan, China is built as an alumni networking platform, connecting VIPP, Michigan State University, and alumni from China and around the world. We will create opportunities together: promote academic exchange, educational innovation, and professional collaboration. Most importantly, we want VIPP alumni, wherever they may be, to feel a sense of belonging.

The five VIPP alumni invited to serve on the founding Leadership Team bring diverse expertise and share a deep connection with VIPP and MSU. They will lead the development of organizational policies, alumni engagement, and initial programming. Please welcome our leaders!

Hongyun Cheng — President
Jufang Wang — Secretary-General
Ying Yue — Vice President
Zhaoyang Hu — Vice President
Ling Chen — Vice President

Looking ahead, we hope to develop a wide range of initiatives, including alumni networking, academic and professional exchanges, cross-industry resource sharing, career and professional development, and the continuation of Spartan culture and alumni friendship.

Once a Spartan, always a Spartan. 💚

Michigan State University MSU Alumni MSU International Studies and Programs

Please RSVP for our Alumni reunion in Nanjing, China by October 16: https://msu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_diKr7rOn8pJz566

09/30/2026

Thank you for joining us this weekend at the VIPP Tailgate! We were happy to partner with MSU's Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA) for an afternoon full of fun, games, and giveaways with our shared friends on campus 🏈💚

Sharing the American tradition of tailgating before a sporting event is one of our favorite annual memories with our participants from around the world as well as our MSU and community partners. Thank you so much to everyone who came out!

Follow us for more cultural events like this and to stay connected with your community 🌐

Michigan State University MSU Office for International Students and Scholars MSU International Studies and Programs VETP - MSU

📸 Photo credit: Katelyn Coffey, VIPP

Visit our VIPP Flickr for photos from this event: https://www.flickr.com/photos/msuvipp/albums/72177720335888582/with/55559887821/

09/28/2026

Strengthening Global Higher Education Partnerships in Michigan! 🌍 🎓

Last week, we were honored to host 13 higher education leaders and delegates from across Africa as part of the Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) project on "Strategic University Partnerships".

Organized locally by the Michigan Council for Citizen Diplomacy (MCCD) and hosted by the Visiting International Professional Program (VIPP) at Michigan State University, this initiative highlighted the vital role of IVLP and VIPP in driving international partnership development, global capacity building, and collaborative academic innovation.

A key highlight was our roundtable networking and dinner connect event at MSU, where our visiting African delegates engaged directly with university leaders from across the state—including representatives from Wayne State University, Central Michigan University, Oakland University, Lawrence Technological University, and Research Universities for Michigan - RU4M. The event received outstanding feedback from the delegates, building a strong foundation for future cross-continental research and institutional collaboration.

A heartfelt thank you to our fellow Michigan Community-Based Members (CBMs), Global Ties Detroit and Global Ties Kalamazoo, for your partnership in making this joint, statewide IVLP project a success! International exchange and citizen diplomacy thrive when we collaborate across our communities.

09/21/2026

The Visiting International Professional Program is excited to be hosting a tailgate for MSU's home football game this weekend against the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Tailgating is an American tradition to gather the day of a football game to grill, play yard games, socialize, and cheer for our team.

All are welcome, please bring your friends and family for an afternoon of food, games, and the chance to win a free ticket to the football game that evening!

Join us this Saturday, September 26 from 1-3 p.m. at People’s Park, on the northeast side of Wells Hall.

09/14/2026

VIPP is seeking TWO Communications Interns to support our communications, social media, and marketing initiatives. Apply now on Handshake by searching the position ID #11402924: https://app.joinhandshake.com/public/jobs/11402924?utm_source=web&utm_campaign=job_share&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_content=stu-copy_link-job_page

This is an exciting opportunity to gain hands-on experience in promoting international programs, engaging with a diverse global community, and developing professional skills in digital communication and content creation.


Michigan State University MSU Office for International Students and Scholars MSU International Studies and Programs

09/09/2026

“By the end of this three-week journey, I felt like I had a foot in two worlds: the one I grew up in and the one I had the opportunity to learn about and become a part of.”

VIPP was grateful to have Michael LoPorto as a Cultural Ambassador for our 2026 Global Summer Programs. The Global Summer School, German Fulbright Summer Institute, and Agribusiness Summer Institute are immersive experiences for short-term visiting students from around the world to participate in specialized courses and explore the heart of Michigan.

Michael is a third-year student at James Madison College at Michigan State University studying Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy, as well as Spanish, originally from Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan.

“Going into this job, I wanted to become a better “Citizen of the World”; while I do think that my knowledge has expanded and my ignorance has decreased, I feel that this is only the beginning of a longer journey of cultural exchange.”

Read more about Michael and learn more about VIPP summer programs: https://vipp.isp.msu.edu/news_article/24298

Michigan State University MSU International Studies and Programs

09/04/2026

35 years of global impact. 35 years of advancing international education. 35 years of providing transformative, professional experiences.

The Visiting International Professional Program at MSU is proud to celebrate its 35th year anniversary, and we are excited for this final semester full of celebrations, pride, and continued excellence.

The first half of this year is hard to beat, with our alumni reunions in Seoul, South Korea, and Almaty, Kazakhstan with the Bolashak Program, as well as a summer to remember with our Global Summer School, German Fulbright Summer Institute, and Agribusiness Summer Institute.

But more is still on the horizon! We are honored to be hosting another alumni reunion in Nanjing, China this October, as well as an end-of-year celebration with our on-campus program participants and partners this December.

We would like to extend our gratitude to all our partners, students, scholars, visitors, and esteemed alumni, for making VIPP the success it is today. Here’s to many more years of VIPP. And we'll see you next in Nanjing!

Spartan Forever. Go Green!



MSU International Studies and Programs, Centre for International Programmes - Bolashaq, Fulbright Germany

08/28/2026

As summer comes to a close, we at VIPP invite you to look back on the incredible learning experiences, friendships, and memories made at Michigan State University these past couple months: https://youtu.be/TtChAchhQV4

This summer, students from China, Germany, and South Korea joined our Global Summer School, German Fulbright Summer Program, and Agribusiness Summer Institute to embrace unique MSU opportunities, explore their fields of study, and discover new and emerging career paths.

With the help of our Cultural Ambassadors, these students traveled around the state of Michigan, experiencing American and Midwestern culture and making memories with friends from around the world.

We wish all our students the best of luck in their continuing academic journeys and can’t wait to see all they accomplish.

Once a Spartan, always a Spartan. Go Green!



Michigan State University MSU Office for International Students and Scholars MSU International Studies and Programs Fulbright Germany

As summer comes to a close, we at VIPP invite you to look back on t...

08/25/2026

Congratulations to our 2025-2026 Bolashak Scholars on completing their year-long studies at Michigan State University! 🎉

We had the pleasure of hearing from these 15 scholars reflect on their time researching in the U.S. last week in a two-day symposium, hosted by VIPP.

These scholars from Kazakhstan were sponsored by the Bolashak International Scholarship Program to pursue the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of elevating their knowledge and expertise as tomorrow’s leaders at a globally ranked, major research institution in the heart of the American Midwest.

“They make so much great progress here at MSU, and I hope what they achieved here they can bring back to Kazakhstan and stay connected here with VIPP at MSU,” said Dr. Xiaoqing Chen, Assistant Director of VIPP.

Thank you to MSU International Studies and Programs and MSU Office for International Students and Scholars for their support and encouragement of the Bolashak Scholar Program here at MSU, allowing these leaders to make a difference both in Michigan and back home in Kazakhstan 🇰🇿

Read more about these scholars’ experiences and the Bolashak Scholar Program: https://vipp.isp.msu.edu/news_article/24295



Michigan State University Centre for International Programmes - Bolashaq