International Collaborations and Global Engagement: NGOs/IGOs and Universities Looking to Make an Impact beyond the Classroom

This chapter presents two case studies on university collaborations with international Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs) and Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs): The first with Global Brigades, a student led service learning working in Nicaragua; and the second with the East African Community, headquartered in Arusha, Tanzania. The case is made that University partnerships with these types of organizations represent a promising new shape of strategic partnerships that serve the needs of students and in-country stakeholders alike. For the students that are involved in hands on international development work, applied experience is critical; for the NGOs/IGOs and the communities they serve, such partnerships with University can supply vital resources, labor, and powerful learning outcomes for the students. Finally, for the universities entering these types of partnerships, the benefit is providing opportunities for their students that are high impact and experiential and meaningful. The chapter concludes with the notion that these partnerships represent a successful strategy that blends practical and applied skillsets in the realm of international development, and encourages more partnerships of this type.