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The International Center promotes relationships with educational institutions, student and faculty exchanges, and joint research projects through international academic exchange and collaboration.

International Research

Research and creativity crosses borders, and the grand challenges facing our  commonwealth, nation  and world are often inherently transnational in nature. The best ideas, the transformative science, the most innovative creative expression, can come from anywhere. The UK International Center supports faculty in doing research outside the U.S., building international research collaborations, and strengthening global professional networks. International Partnerships & Research collaborates with the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) to strengthen research security and ensure that UK researchers comply with all relevant federal and state regulations and guidelines when engaging in international research.

UK's Global Footprint

As the flagship, land-grant, public research university serving the Commonwealth, the University of Kentucky is engaged in local, regional, transnational, and global relationships. The UK Global Footprint compiles and visualizes data on UK's global engagement activities to support existing activities and enhance strategic decision-making.

Global Footprint

Recent News

Ecuador clinic expansion increases access to care, offers learning opportunities for UK community

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 11, 2026) — Members of the University of Kentucky community and Centro de Salud Hombro a Hombro Health Clinic celebrated the expansion on May 21 of the clinic in Santo Domingo. Ecuador, home to Shoulder to Shoulder Global, a program that offers UK students, trainees, faculty and staff short-term experiences in global health. 

UK researchers part of global team awarded Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 2, 2026) — University of Kentucky physicists are among an international team recognized with one of the world’s most prestigious scientific honors — the 2026 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics. 

Geography alumnus Camilo Rey Sabogal named deputy minister in Colombia

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 20, 2026) – Camilo Rey Sabogal, a University of Kentucky Ph.D. alumnus in geography, has been appointed deputy minister of finance and public credit of Colombia.  Rey Sabogal was sworn in April 20 before Finance Minister Germán Ávila after being appointed on April 17, 2026. He joins Colombia's national economic team during the final months of President Gustavo Petro's administration, where he will support the country's finance and fiscal policy work.