New Cooperation Agreement Between GlobalPittsburgh and Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education Expands Efforts To Attract International Students to Region

A newly-signed cooperation agreement between GlobalPittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education (PCHE) will further enhance efforts to promote the region around the world as an education hub and attract international students to its many colleges, universities and English Language Programs, according to leaders of the two non-profit organizations.

"This partnership will strengthen what GlobalPittsburgh has been doing for several years through our channels within the U.S. government to attract international students and make a valuable contribution to the Pittsburgh Region," said Michael Malloy, Acting Chairman of the GlobalPittsburgh Board of Directors. "Education is one of this region’s major exports and top economic drivers, and we can now expand our outreach by ensuring that we are cooperating to coordinate our efforts."

Kenneth Service, Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education, said the new agreement “builds on endeavors already under way at many of the PCHE schools, and we are proud to be a partner with GlobalPittsburgh in promoting Pittsburgh throughout the world. One of Pittsburgh’s foremost assets, which sets it apart from many American cities, is the breadth and diversity of its institutions of higher education.”

Through the new Memorandum of Cooperation, the two groups will further expand their existing commitments to:
• Actively market and promote the Pittsburgh region and its many educational assets around the world with the goal of attracting international students to study in the region
• Engage locally with companies and organizations to raise awareness of the value and importance of the Pittsburgh region’s educational assets as a valuable export resource with significant economic and cultural benefits
• Pursue possible academic partnerships between universities and/or departments and international institutions that might lead to student and faculty exchanges, training opportunities and research opportunities
• Co-host visiting international delegations, groups and individuals who may be interested in educational opportunities in the Pittsburgh region

GlobalPittsburgh already promotes the Pittsburgh region and its many educational assets around the world through its Study Pittsburgh initiative (www.studypittsburgh.org), which was formed in 2010. In addition, the organization has for the past 53 years hosted international delegations, groups and individuals through the U.S. Department of State and other programming organizations, and connected a network of people and organizations in the region sharing a common vision of advancing the Pittsburgh region as a truly global community.

The Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education (PCHE) is a consortium of the 10 accredited colleges and universities in Allegheny County. It was founded in 1966 to provide a means for sharing resources, insights and information among its member institutions; engage in cooperative activities and projects; and offer a common voice on matters that affect all of the member institutions.

Both organizations currently count among their supporters Carlow University, Carnegie Mellon University, Chatham University, Community College of Allegheny County, Duquesne University, La Roche College, Point Park University, Robert Morris University and the University of Pittsburgh.

GlobalPittsburgh’s Study Pittsburgh initiative also includes Penn State University, Washington & Jefferson College and West Virginia University. PCHE also includes the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. 

The new cooperation agreement builds on recent developments announced by each organization. GlobalPittsburgh already promotes the region through the U.S. Department of State’s network of more than 400 EducationUSA advising centers around the world, and was recently selected to host a training institute in December for 25 new EducationUSA advisers.

GlobalPittsburgh also signed a partnership agreement in May 2012 with the U.S. Commercial Service to promote the Pittsburgh region’s educational assets through the Commercial Service’s international network of trade offices.

The Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the 13-member Institutes of Technology Ireland (IOTI) to "strengthen, promote and develop co-operation in education, training, research, and innovation among the member institutions."

In economic terms, international students make a significant positive impact in the region, contributing an estimated $270 million in tuition and living expenses to the regional economy, according to new reports issued this week by the Institute for International Education. More than 9,800 international students are enrolled in the Greater Pittsburgh region, IIE reported.

"The benefits that accrue to the Pittsburgh region from its colleges and universities go far beyond the direct provision of educational services and training to thousands of area citizens," said PCHE’s Kenneth Service. "The 10 PCHE institutions play a key role in supporting Pittsburgh’s growing global reputation."