History of GTDI
The Global Training and Development Institute (GTDI) is a unit within Global Affairs that offers academic services and specialized training to international students and professionals through exchange programs across multiple disciplines at the University of Connecticut (UConn).
GTDI was established in 1961 as the Institute of Public Service International (IPSI) to offer short-term training to administrators and managers of public, parastatal, private, and non-governmental organizations in developing countries. The Institute of Public Service International adopted the name "Global Training and Development Institute" in 2003 to reflect its commitment to meeting the challenges of global development. Since 1961, GTDI has trained more than 10,000 participants from 130 countries.
Since 2008, U.S. Department of State funding has afforded GTDI the opportunity to develop international programming on enhancing public health, environmental sustainability, youth development, and economic empowerment for disadvantaged and marginalized communities. As a result, GTDI has partnered with over 70 private sector companies, non-profit organizations, public agencies and/or universities in Connecticut, New York, and New England. Through GTDI programming, the U.S. Department of State has also provided seed money in sub-awards to fund over 75 mini-social development projects, which are planned and implemented by GTDI program alumni. These projects are located in local communities throughout Africa, Latin America, Europe, and Asia.
In addition to developing and delivering academic enrichment programs and professional training, and supporting social development projects, GTDI coordinates UConn Global Affairs' International Student Mobility Initiative (ISMI). ISMI allows graduate and undergraduate students at international partner institutions to enroll in full time study at UConn as non-degree students for one academic year. ISMI was developed to centralize UConn’s international programming efforts and enhance program coordination and international student relationship management.
The University of Connecticut’s Global Training and Development Institute (GTDI) fosters global sustainable development, citizenship, and cross-cultural understanding by providing individuals from around the world with transformational learning experiences.
Grants Won & Awarded to UConn GTDI
| Region (Countries) | Program | Year | Amount in USD |
| Latin America (Costa Rica, Panama, Peru, Columbia) | Women's Empowerment
Economic Empowerment |
2010-2012
2012-2014 |
$450k
$500k |
| Europe (Turkey) | Grassroots Leadership | 2010-2011 | $325k |
| Africa (North: Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Sudan) (Sub-Saharan: Mali, Ghana, Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire, Cameroon) (East: Kenya, South Africa) | Young Entrepreneurs Program
Sport or Social Change Study of the U.S. Institute (SUSI) |
2009-2011
2012-2013 2010-2018 |
$375k
$225k $3.57M |
| Asia (Southeast: Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Singapore, Philippines, Brunei, Timor-Leste) (East: China) | Young Southeast Asian Leadership Initiative (Social Entrepreneurship & Econ. development)
Sports for Social Change |
2011-2024
2011-2012 |
$9.762M
$225k |
| Total Grants Received | $15,432,000 |
Past Programs
- UConn Emerging Scholars Program: South Africa
- Study of the U.S. Institute (SUSI) for Student Leaders on Social Entrepreneurship
- Empowering Women through Social Entrepreneurship: Fellowship Exchange with Costa Rica
- International Sports Program Initiative: Fellowship Exchange with Hong Kong
- International Sports Program Initiative: South Africa
- Young Turkey / Young America Program: Fellowship Exchange with the Turkey
Current Programs
- Grant Funded Initiatives
- U.S. State Department Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI)
- International Student Mobility Programs
- Study at UConn
- Undergraduate
- Graduate
- Summer Programs
- Political Campaigns and Elections
- Technology and Entrepreneurship
- Study at UConn
- Professional Development Programs