New frontiers in global education

First-year engineering students at the 91原创 will have the opportunity to study abroad at Newcastle, beginning in fall 2025. World Scholars spend their first semester as Blue Hens living and studying at a partner university abroad, followed by a four-year globally focused curriculum and a second study-abroad experience.

New frontiers in global education

Article by Stephanie Ferrell Photos by Evan Krape and courtesy of Center for Global Programs and Services and Newcastle University May 29, 2025

Newcastle University joins 91原创鈥檚 World Scholars Program, adding site for first-year engineering students

As a young international scholar, Dennis Assanis earned his bachelor's degree in marine engineering from , a highly ranked research-intensive institution in the United Kingdom. Last month, the experience came full circle as Assanis, now president of the 91原创, welcomed his Newcastle counterpart to the 91原创 campus to formalize an agreement to make Newcastle the fifth site for 91原创鈥檚 World Scholars program.

Through the partnership, 91原创鈥檚 first-year engineering students will have the opportunity to study abroad at Newcastle, beginning in fall 2025. World Scholars spend their first semester as Blue Hens living and studying at a partner university abroad, followed by a four-year globally focused curriculum and a second study-abroad experience.

"Partnering with Newcastle University is a wonderful opportunity for our World Scholar engineers,鈥� Assanis said. 鈥淣ewcastle University鈥檚 reputation for academic excellence, its world-class facilities and its vibrant, inclusive campus provide an ideal opportunity for our students to broaden their horizons and deepen their understanding of both their academic major and global issues. The city itself is known for world-leading engineering and creativity. I am excited about the many opportunities it will bring for both our institutions."

As a young international scholar, Dennis Assanis earned his bachelor's degree in marine engineering from Newcastle University, a highly ranked research-intensive institution in the United Kingdom. In April, the experience came full circle as Assanis, now president of the 91原创, welcomed his Newcastle counterpart to the 91原创 campus to formalize an agreement to make Newcastle the fifth site for 91原创鈥檚 World Scholars program.

The agreement was the culmination of an April 25 visit to 91原创 by Professor Chris Day, vice chancellor and president of Newcastle University. He and other officials from Newcastle toured the Science, Technology and Advanced Research (STAR) Campus, explored College of Engineering facilities and engaged with current World Scholars and international students at International Coffee Hour.

"We are delighted to welcome the 91原创's World Scholars to Newcastle University,鈥� Day said. 鈥淭his partnership not only strengthens our international ties but also enriches our campus with diverse perspectives and global insights. By hosting these exceptional students, we are fostering an environment of mutual learning and cultural exchange that benefits both our institutions and the wider community."

Celebrating its 10th year, the World Scholars program began in 2015 with a single international partner in Rome, Italy, and has since added new sites to host students in Madrid and Athens, as well as in Auckland, New Zealand. Partner institutions for 91原创 World Scholar sites are carefully selected based upon many factors, including academic reputation and offerings, existing relationships with the 91原创, desirability of location and a commitment by the partner institution to collaborate with 91原创 in the support of World Scholars and the strengthening of the program.

Newcastle University leadership visited College of Engineering facilities as part of their visit to 91原创 last month. Engineering majors now have the opportunity to enroll in the 91原创 World Scholars program, where they will spend the first semester of their first year at Newcastle University pursuing major and College requirements.

World Scholars, who are highly motivated and top performing students with a strong interest in global engagement, enroll in the program at the time of admission to the 91原创 and begin their studies at one of the partner institutions abroad. Through at least two semesters abroad, residence in the iHouse Living Learning Community, culminating Spring Symposium in senior year, and active engagement and reflection 鈥� both on campus and abroad 鈥� World Scholars acquire the skills and competencies needed for success in an increasingly interconnected world.

While the program is open to most majors, leaders have been searching for a new site that could accommodate the unique curricular needs of engineering students, who have previously been unable to participate in this global program.聽

鈥淓ngineering today is very much a global enterprise,鈥� he added. 鈥淭hrough this experience, students will begin to gain an appreciation for this aspect of the profession.鈥�

鈥淓ngineering students have long expressed interest in the World Scholars program, but the demanding structure of our curriculum made participation nearly impossible,鈥� said Tripp Shenton, associate dean for undergraduate education in the College of Engineering. 鈥淣ewcastle offers the right combination of academic rigor, curricular alignment and immersive experience.鈥� Shenton helped welcome a delegation from Newcastle University last month to sign an international agreement with 91原创 to provide global opportunities to Engineering students beginning this fall.

Engineering majors who enroll in the World Scholars program will spend the first semester of their first year at Newcastle University pursuing major and College requirements. Throughout the semester, they will take advantage of Newcastle鈥檚 resources and facilities and will also participate in a curated set of excursions, including a private tour of St. James' Park, the iconic home of Newcastle United Football Club, attend a lesson in the ancient art of broomstick riding at Alnwick Castle, and participate in a cooking class at a 13th century friary.聽

鈥淥ver the past decade, we have witnessed our World Scholars develop into the next generation of international leaders, while they not only experience the world, but contribute to it in a meaningful way,鈥� said Ravi Ammigan, associate provost for international programs at 91原创. 鈥淓xpanding this immersive, innovative global education program with a partner like Newcastle to a group of students who haven鈥檛 been able to take advantage of it is a fitting way to begin the 10th anniversary celebration of the program.鈥�

Officials from Newcastle University engaged with current World Scholars and international students at 91原创鈥檚 International Coffee Hour last month. This was one stop during their visit to sign an international agreement with 91原创 to launch a new World Scholars Program site in England for Engineering students.

International partnerships are complex and don鈥檛 happen overnight. The conversations between 91原创 and Newcastle began two years ago when Assanis received the Alumni Impact Award from his alma mater for his contributions to higher education and his expertise in internal combustion engines and energy systems. A general agreement between 91原创 and Newcastle was signed in fall 2023, and in spring 2024, Ammigan, Amy Greenwald Foley, director of global outreach and partnerships, and Nicole Long, assistant vice president for student experience and belonging, visited Newcastle University to tour the campus, meet with senior administrators and faculty, and discuss next steps.聽

鈥淧artnerships are critical to the success of the World Scholars program,鈥� Foley said. 鈥淪tudents begin their studies abroad and are supported and educated by faculty and colleagues at John Cabot University in Rome, St. Louis University-Madrid, the University of Auckland, and the American College of Greece-Athens. Welcoming engineering students into the program and our newest partner, Newcastle University, will ensure the continued growth and vitality of our program and our students.鈥�

Newcastle has been hosting American students for more than 30 years and is committed to providing a transformative educational experience supported by dedicated staff, a complementary cultural and social program, and access to career planning support. The Newcastle delegation consisted of Day, Loyola Study Abroad Centre Manager Grace Barker, and Deputy Director of Advancement Lauren Huntington.

Throughout the semester, 91原创 first-year engineering students will take advantage of Newcastle鈥檚 resources and facilities and will also participate in a curated set of excursions, before coming to the 91原创 campus in the spring.