A resolution highlighting the importance of international education at the state’s colleges and universities has been sponsored by Sen. David Pearce, (R-Warrensburg).

Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 13 states that “international education is a critical component of higher education in Missouri and contributes to the economy of the state and to a diverse college environment.”

Pearce, who represents the University of Central Missouri in his district, said the resolution encourages international students to attend Missouri schools, while also encouraging Missouri students to study abroad.

“It’s about a 3-to-1 exchange,” Pearce said. “There are three times more international students that come here as opposed to U.S. students going abroad. I think the economic impact is like $270 million dollars for having international students in our borders because they live here, they eat here, they are part of our society while they’re here and we love that.”

The resolution emphasizes foreign language instruction and study abroad to “ensure graduates have the cross-cultural skills necessary to function effectively in the global workforce.”

“My university has around 500 international students,” Pearce said. “We’re the number two university in the state as far as international students and they add so much, not just economically, but socially to our community. I’ve met with a lot of them and socialized with them and my life is richer because of that and I hope in turn their life is richer because of the relationship.”

University President Bruce Speck hadn’t seen the resolution.

“First of all, we’re probably doing more of that in some areas than other schools so that means that we would probably already have some programs,” Speck said. “Themed semesters are probably very unique.”

Pearce said the same resolution last year drew 50 international students to the capital to deliver testimony during the committee hearing.

“We almost didn’t have enough room in the hearing room to do it,” he said.

The final sentence of the resolution states that the Secretary of the Senate should prepare inscribed copies of the resolution for each institution in the state.