Office of International Programs

Office of International Programs

International Campus Update

May 11, 2007

In This Issue:

Headlines

ICELAND: President Robert Bruininks will lead a delegation to Iceland May 23-25 to award an honorary degree and celebrate the 25th anniversary of an educational exchange with the University of Iceland. The University will award an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree to University alumnus and Prime Minister of Iceland Mr. Geir H. Haarde. Haarde received a master’s degree in economics from the University in 1977; he became prime minister in June 2006.

NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR AWARD FOR GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT: The award is given to faculty and staff members—active or retired—in recognition of outstanding contributions to global education and international programs in their field, discipline, or the University. Recipients receive a cash prize and an honorary title. Last year’s recipients were Zbigniew Bochniarz, former senior fellow, Humphrey Institute; Harry Lando, professor, School of Public Health; and Meredith McQuaid, associate dean of administration, Law School. The award is sponsored by the Office of the Senior Vice President for System Administration and administered by the Office of International Programs. DEADLINE: June 15, 2007. MORE: http://www.international.umn.edu/awards/global/

HONORARY DEGREE: Professor Lu Yongxiang, president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and vice chairman of the standing committee of the National People's Congress in China, will receive the University's Honorary Doctor of Science degree in a ceremony on the Twin Cities campus on May 21. He is being honored for his innovative scholarship and research in mechanical engineering, his leadership in education, and his service as a national leader in advancing science policies.

NAFSA CONFERENCE: The Office of International Programs will host a booth at the NAFSA: Association of International Educators conference in Minneapolis, May 29-June 1. Visit us at booth #128!

NORDIC SUMMER, a Twin Cities-wide celebration from May 28 to Sept. 3, will highlight programs and events that showcase the arts and cultures of Norway, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Iceland. MORE: http://www.minneapolis.org/nordicsummer/

Program News

CARLA: The University’s Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition seeks a full-time director. The director will provide leadership by setting priorities and direction for this interdisciplinary, research-based center; securing and expanding funding; and fostering collaboration among all CARLA stakeholders. Applications and nominations will be reviewed beginning Sept. 1, 2007. MORE: https://employment.umn.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/frameset/Frameset.jsp?time=1178747727157 (Search for requisition # 147523.)

CFANS: The 2007 H.K. Hayes Memorial Lecture, “Alleviating Poverty: The BRAC Approach,” will be given by Mr. Fazle Hasan Abed of BRAC, the world’s largest non-governmental development organization. BRAC supports one-room, one-teacher schools in Bangladesh through its micro-loan program. LECTURE: May 31, 3:30-4:30 p.m., in the St. Paul Student Center Theater. MORE: http://www.cfans.umn.edu/H_K_Hayes_Memorial_Lecture.html

CROOKSTON: Delegations from China's Lunghwa University of Science and Technology and Nan Kai Institute of Technology visited UMC in early May. Discussion topics included cooperative academic degree-completion programs, joint research, ESL programs, and faculty and student exchanges.

ISSS: International Student and Scholar Services was awarded a $139,000 grant for "The Study of the United States: Institute for Student Leadership," a four-week immersion program this summer for 20 undergraduate students from Venezuela, Guatemala, and Ecuador. The program will include a comprehensive introduction to the legal, political, and social institutions of the U.S., as well as hands-on exposure to civil society institutions in the Twin Cities. Designers of the project were Susan Atwood, Kay Thomas, Thorunn Bjarnadottir, and Barbara Kappler.

Professional Notes

Professor EVELYN SCHERABON FIRCHOW, Department of German, Scandinavian and Dutch, has published her book, "Wege und Irrwege der mittelalterlichen Textausgaben: Ausgewählte Aufsätze."

Professor PETER E. FIRCHOW, Department of English, has published his book "Modern Utopian Fiction, from H. G. Wells to Iris Murdoch" and an article, "Stephen Anti-Hero: Ironic Passivity in A Portrait of the Artist," in Metamorphosen: Festschrift für Wolfgang Riehle.

Study, Service Learning, Intern, Volunteer, Work, and Travel Abroad

STUDENT TESTIMONIALS: Two University students who participated in the IRSEP Exchange Program in 2005-06 have written about their experiences abroad. MORE ABOUT IRSEP: http://www.umabroad.umn.edu/financial/scholarships/irsep.html

Funding Opportunities and Announcements

CANADIAN STUDIES GRANT: The Canadian government supports research, conferences, teaching, and program activity related to Canada and/or Canada-U.S. relations. The Canadian Studies grant programs for faculty and doctoral students seek to encourage comparative research and teaching, faculty exchanges, student mobility, and collaboration between U.S. and Canadian researchers. Another goal is to build stronger ties between U.S. and Canadian universities and colleges. Of particular interest are projects that have policy relevance for Canada and Canada-U.S. relations. MORE: http://geo.international.gc.ca/can-am/washington/studies/grantguide-en.asp

DUNN PEACE: The recipient of the 2007-08 Dunn Peace Research Scholarship is Jens Omli, College of Education and Human Development (Ph.D. in Kinesiology & Child Development). He will research the role of caring adult mentors and organized activity in the rehabilitation and development of former child soldiers in Kampala, Uganda.

FULBRIGHT HONG KONG GENERAL EDUCATION PROGRAM is a traditional Fulbright program for U.S. scholars designed to support Hong Kong universities as they prepare to introduce new four-year undergraduate degree programs in 2012.

HSIAO SCHOLARSHIPS: Seven students have been selected for the China Center’s Hsiao Scholarship for study abroad for the May and summer session of 2007-08. The Hsiao Scholarship provides opportunities for University students to incorporate an educational experience in China as part of their academic studies.

JUDD FELLOWSHIPS have been awarded to 20 master's and professional degree students. The Judd Fellowships are designed to increase opportunities for U of M master’s and professional degree students to study, undertake internships, and conduct research projects abroad. A primary goal is to increase exposure to and understanding of other cultures. Funding is provided by a generous gift from the Walter H. Judd Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation and additional funds from the Office of International Programs. LIST OF 2007 FELLOWS: http://www.international.umn.edu/funding/judd/recipients/index.php

NWA AWARDS: Northwest Airlines has selected the University of Minnesota to participate in the World Travel Scholarship Program that will award international travel to six graduate students who are selected as recipients of the Walter H. Judd International Graduate and Professional Fellowship each year. Students will receive round-trip air travel to any destination served by Northwest Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, or KLM cityhopper. The scholarship is administered by the University's Office of International Programs.

RED POCKETS SCHOLARSHIPS: Ten students have been selected for the China Center’s Red Pockets Scholarship for study abroad for the May and summer session of 2007-08. The scholarship provides opportunities for University students to incorporate educational or research experience in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, or Macau as part of their academic studies, internships, research, or professional training.

University of Minnesota
International Campus Update
Vol. 8, No. 5

International Campus Update is not published during the summer. The next issue will be sent in September. International Campus Update welcomes submissions. Please send items to be included by Friday, August 31, to schul160@umn.edu or call 612-624-0557.