Global U

The Office for Global Engagement and the University of Utah Middle East Center are honored to host the Gulf States Forum on September 17, 2026, a one-day event exploring diplomacy, economic diversification, natural resources and innovation across the Gulf region.

The event is not to be missed by anyone interested in global affairs.

Several lectures and discussions are scheduled throughout the day, starting at 9 a.m.

The event will culminate with the Global U Alumni Impact Award Dinner, recognizing His Excellency Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi, secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and a 1991 University of Utah graduate.

In addition to H.E. AlBudaiwi's keynote, also on the agenda are several distinguished regional experts:
✅ Bader Mousa Al-Saif, Assistant Professor, Kuwait University
✅ Andrew Leber, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Tulane University
✅ Michael Christopher Low, Director, Middle East Center, University of Utah
✅ Dania Thafer, Director, Gulf International Forum
✅ Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, Fellow for the Middle East at the Baker Institute, Rice University
✅ Karen E. Young, Senior Research Scholar at the Center on Global Energy Policy, Columbia University

Join us for a day of dialogue and an evening of celebration. Participants are welcome to attend the full day or select sessions based on their interests. Apart from the evening dinner, all Forum events are free and open to the public. Registration is required, and space is limited. View full event details and register at global.utah.edu/gulfstatesforum.

What happens when diplomacy, innovation, economic transformation and global leadership come together?

Join the Office for Global Engagement and Middle East Center on Sept. 17 for the Gulf States Forum—a day of conversations with leading scholars, diplomats, and international experts exploring the forces shaping the Gulf region and its relationship with the United States.

The program features a keynote address by His Excellency Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council and a 1991 University of Utah graduate, along with distinguished experts from the University of Utah, Kuwait University, Tulane University, Rice University, Columbia University, and the Gulf International Forum.

The day will culminate with the Global U Alumni Impact Dinner at the Natural History Museum of Utah, where the University will honor AlBudaiwi with the inaugural Global U Alumni Impact Award.

Forum sessions are free and open to the public. Dinner is $60 ($15 for current UofU students) and proceeds benefit the International Students Emergency Fund.

📅 Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026
📍 University of Utah
🎟️ Register: global.utah.edu/gulfstatesforum

Registration is required and space is limited, so don't delay! Come be part of a conversation about the Gulf region and the global connections shaping our future.

Happy from Mongolia! Thanks to for reppin’ the U during a summer reunion with friends from !

Cheers to global friendships! !

We know it's summer, but don't sleep on these incredible scholarship opportunities:

➡️ Fulbright U.S. Student Program
funds research, graduate study, or an English Teaching Assistantship in over 140 countries

➡️ Schwarzman Scholarship
funds one year of postgraduate study in Global Affairs at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China

➡️ Churchill Scholarship
funds one year of postgraduate study in math, science, or engineering at Churchill College at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom

➡️ Marshall Scholarship
funds 1-2 years of postgraduate study in a range of disciplines at any university in the United Kingdom

➡️ Rhodes Scholarship
funds two years of postgraduate study in any field at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom

These scholarships have extensive application processes; some include institutional endorsements with internal University of Utah deadlines in mid-August 2026.

Reach out to the our partners at the Office of Nationally Competitive
Scholarships today! They can help you develop a competitive application. looks forward to helping “U” go global!

Click the link below to visit the Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships website.
https://nationallycompetitivescholarships.utah.edu/

The University of Utah Office for Global Engagement (OGE) officially welcomed the English Language Institute () into its organizational structure on April 2, 2026, marking a significant step in expanding support for international students and strengthening the university’s global mission.

Founded in 1990, ELI serves as the university’s intensive English language program, providing preparatory language instruction for international students, visitors, and members of the local community. Through online courses, evening classes, and immersive academic programs, ELI helps students build the language skills needed for academic and professional success.

Read more:
https://www.global.utah.edu/stories/english-language-institute-joins-office-for-global-engagement/

For faculty, leading a Learning Abroad program can be memorable, fulfilling, and add a whole new dimension to your teaching or research. But getting a new program off the ground can come with some challenges. ⁠
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Before developing your course, sign up to participate in the Faculty Fellows program—a new offering developed by the Learning Abroad office to guide faculty through the development of new international experiences. ⁠
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Learn more about how to join Faculty Fellows at https://learningabroad.utah.edu/faculty-staff/lead-a-program.php
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P.S. And for those already in the process of developing a program: Friendly reminder that those proposals are due June 1, 2026.⁠
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The views in London, Pittsburgh, Pasadena, and Honolulu all looked comically similar to our intrepid recruiter this year as he hit the road to over 16 cities in 6 months.

Though he didn't get to see too much of each city, he had a blast connecting with prospective students and sharing what makes the experience at our global campus in Incheon, South Korea so distinctive.

We're excited to meet the new students this fall who choose to join us after attending these admissions fairs, and grateful for the energy, dedication, and global reach that continue to expand our community. Go !

We love what director Anastasia Fynn had to say at last week's graduation celebration for international students:

"There is a particular kind of courage it takes to pursue an education far from home. To sit in classrooms where the cultural references are unfamiliar. To build community from the ground up. To learn how to call a place home that once felt foreign. You did not just move through this experience, you transformed it. Every perspective you shared, every question you raised from outside the assumed center, made this university more thoughtful, more honest, and more complete."

Read her full speech at https://www.global.utah.edu/stories/global-journeys-shared-futures/

The presence of international students on campus is invaluable. Thanks for bringing all that makes you YOU to the U! We are lucky to be part of your journey.

Cheers to what's next!

(Pssst...Remember to keep in touch and let us know of your fabulous next steps through !)

🎓🙌

Congratulations, Class of 2026! 🌎 From all of us at the Office for Global Engagement, we proudly celebrate your incredible achievements at the University of Utah.

Whether you participated in learning abroad, sought to understand more about cultures beyond your own, built your language skills, or brought global perspectives into your classrooms, you have helped build a more connected and compassionate community.

As you take this next step, remember that a global mindset is one of your greatest strengths. Keep being thoughtful leaders, bridge-builders, and people who celebrate curiosity and connection. The world needs your perspective.

No matter where your journey leads, you will always be part of our global network. Keep exploring, keep learning, and keep making an impact.

P.S. Special hat tip to our graduating student ambassadors (pictured). Thanks for sharing your unique perspectives, skills, and good humor with us! You have been an invaluable addition to our office this year, and we are cheering for you as you take your next steps.

Want to learn, live, or work in Taiwan?

Join Fulbright Taiwan Representatives and the Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships on Friday, March 27th from 1–2 PM for an info session.

Explore opportunities to pursue postgraduate study, conduct research, or work as an English Teaching Assistant after graduation.

Link in bio for details 🔗