[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 177 (Thursday, November 15, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2438-E2439]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK

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                        HON. MAURICE D. HINCHEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 15, 2007

  Mr. HINCHEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the State 
University of New York's (SUNY) dual diploma program in conjunction 
with the Turkish Council of Higher Education (YOK). This unique and 
highly successful international higher education effort has partnered 
nine top-tier Turkish institutions with nine SUNY campuses. Two of 
which, SUNY New Paltz and SUNY Binghamton, are located in the district 
that I represent. This program and others like it are particularly 
important in the face of our country's current challenges in the Middle 
East and throughout the world.
  The SUNY system, comprised of 64 campuses, provides first-class 
higher education for over 417,000 students and is the largest 
comprehensive university system in the nation. Tasked with increasing 
the number of international students on SUNY campuses, SUNY's Office of 
International Programs has initiated a broad series of programs to 
prepare students for an increasingly interconnected world. The dual 
diploma program with Turkish universities highlights SUNY's commitment 
and leadership in international education.
  Evolving from initial talks held in 2000, the first cohort consisting 
of 33 Turkish students arrived on SUNY campuses in 2003. These students 
spend half their undergraduate education at a SUNY campus, half at a 
Turkish university, and receive a diploma from both. Through committed 
efforts and diligence, the program now boasts more than 1,500 students 
in 24 programs and has graduated 100 students. This year the Institute 
of International Education recognized the program with the Andrew 
Heiskell Award for Innovation in International Education Partnerships.

[[Page E2439]]

  Madam Speaker, I am delighted to acknowledge SUNY's leadership, the 
Office of International Programs, SUNY and Turkish partnership 
institutions, and all those who have worked to ensure that New York 
State's system of higher education provides the international 
components that are critical to higher education, our nation's 
competitiveness, and our image abroad. Furthermore, I am deeply honored 
to represent two of SUNY's host institutions, SUNY Binghamton and my 
alma mater, SUNY New Paltz. Each of these universities' contributions 
in education and efforts at globalizing their campuses benefit their 
communities in many broad and profound ways and it is my pleasure to 
recognize them during International Education Week 2007.

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