Beginning with a conference on Science and Technology, Project Virginia 2020 officials will conduct a series of forums aimed at exposing the University to the ideas and advances achieved by other educational institutions.
Last fall, University President John T. Casteen III appointed four commissions to outline and identify how the University can come one step closer to competing with the most elite universities in the country.
The commissions focus on arts, science, international studies and public service and outreach. All of the commissions, with the exception of public service and outreach, will present their findings at individual conferences throughout the year.
The first of the three conferences, entitled "Models for Advancing Academic Excellence," will be held Sept. 23 and 24 and specifically is aimed at improving research and education in science and technology at the University. The conference will take place at the Omni Hotel.
The conference "will teach us some of the pros and cons of models that other institutions are using and will help us in our decision-making as we look at a vast number of options as we build our programs," said Amy Cronin, science commission member and assistant to the president.
The commission's program will consist of five themes: achieving excellence within a state system, building research development within industry, taking interdisciplinary initiatives to promote excellence and building strength in specific programs and departments.
The fine and performing arts commission will hold its conference Oct. 8 to study arts programs at other universities and discuss ways to implement similar programs at the University.
The international activities commission's conference, scheduled for Oct. 14 and 15, will attempt to expose the University to the educational and cultural options that exist in the rest of the world.
"The future of our students is going to be much more integrated with the rest of the world," said Brantly Womack, government professor and Asian and Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures chair. "Gradually, like the rest of American education and society, U.Va. is going to become more involved with international activity."
All three conferences will be supplemented with guest speakers who are experts in their respective fields.
The specialists will offer specific feedback and advice on how other institutions have made advances and about how the University should go about setting academic standards for the 21st century.
"It's a great opportunity to meet with several leaders in our fields and see first-hand how we can learn from them to enhance our programs here at U.Va.," Project Director Denise Karaolis said.
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