Vice Provost for International Activities

The vice provost for international activities (VPIA) provides intellectual leadership, guidance, and oversight of the Institute’s international policies and engagements. The VPIA is an advocate for responsible international collaborations that advance the frontiers of knowledge and enable innovative, multi-disciplinary partnerships in order to solve the world’s great challenges. The VPIA also champions the role international activities play in sustaining and enhancing MIT’s excellence in education and research.

The VPIA reports to the provost and is a member of Academic Council. The role sponsors the faculty-led International Advisory Committee, co-sponsors the International Coordinating Committee, and serves as President of MIT International, an MIT entity that supports and facilitates the Institute’s global presence. As a member of the Senior Risk Group, as well as the Gift Advisory Committee, the role also oversees a process for reviewing international engagements that may pose elevated institutional risks for MIT.

Essential Functions

• Conduct strategic reviews of the Institute’s portfolio of international activities and advise the MIT administration on global strategic priorities such as building new regional partnerships, expanding undergraduate access to global experiences, and strengthening international governance and operations capabilities
• Work with academic unit leaders and Office of Strategic Alliances and Technology Transfer (OSATT) administrators to develop major new global programs and projects
• Provide advice and counsel to faculty exploring, planning, and managing international initiatives through Global Support Resources
• Oversee major global programs such as the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART)
• Collaborate with units across the Institute charged with internationally-focused work such as the MIT Portugal Program, the Center for International Studies and MISTI, the MIT Hong Kong Innovation Node, Sloan Global Programs, and others
• Coordinate faculty and administrative reviews of certain international projects to identify and manage geopolitical, economic, and human rights risks and ensure successful international collaborations
• Host international delegations and advise the community on arrangements and protocols for international visitors.
• Communicate about MIT’s international work through Global MIT

Future Opportunities

• Explore an update to the 2017 report A Global Strategy for MIT