(a) In order to maintain and strengthen the high quality of international education in California, the Legislature encourages all public and private institutions of higher education to further develop, as their resources permit, programs that support learning about other cultures, global issues, and the exchange of Californians and international students and scholars.

(b) For California students and scholars, institutions are encouraged, as resources permit, to accomplish all of the following:

(1) Develop courses of study in as many fields as possible to increase students’ understanding of global issues and cultural differences.

(2) Offer courses in languages other than English to train students to communicate effectively in other cultures and to enhance their understanding of other nations’ values.

(3) Provide opportunities for students in all majors to participate in study abroad programs to enrich their academic training, perspectives, and personal development.

(4) Provide opportunities for domestic and international students to interact effectively and routinely share their views, perceptions, and experiences in educational settings.

(5) Develop innovative public educational forums and venues to explore global issues and showcase world cultures.

(c) For international students and scholars, institutions are encouraged, as resources permit, to accomplish all of the following:

(1) Encourage the presence of qualified students from other countries with sufficient geographic diversity to inspire an appreciation for differences among cultures and a deeper understanding of the values and perspectives of other people.

(2) Facilitate faculty exchange and collaborative partnership programs with institutions in other countries.

(3) Initiate collaborative research undertakings to address issues of global significance.

(4) Recruit and retain the world’s best and brightest faculty to educate California’s students as globally competent citizens.

(Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 458, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2003.)