The LIFE project began with the desire of the Health Sciences Associate Deans to create a record of the international experiences of faculty, staff, and students at the University of Washington. Believing that most international activities begin with a one-on-one relationship, they wanted to create a place where these one-on-one connections could flourish. After 18 months of fine-tuning their ideas, a Tools for Transformation proposal was written, supported by all six Health Science Schools. In January 2002, Provost Lee Huntsman funded the proposal for $35,000.
ETS Web Design and Development worked closely with the Health Sciences Associate Deans to write the Tools for Transformation proposal, and to make LIFE a reality. In 2003, the alpha and beta versions of LIFE were tested. LIFE was opened up to the Health Sciences community in 2004. Once initial development was completed, LIFE was given over to the Global Health Resource Center to manage. In the past year the database has been further developed and tested for use by the University of Washington community. Current plans are to expand the database to Upper campus in collaboration with the International Programs and Exchanges Office and the Office of Undergraduate Education. We hope that University faculty and staff can support LIFE by entering their own experiences and programs and help us build this resource for the global health community!
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