Office of International Programs

Office of International Programs

International Campus Update

September 19, 2007

In This Issue:

This newsletter is also available on the web at: http://www.international.umn.edu/news/campusupdate/

Headlines

INT'L PROGRAMS ASSOC VP & DEAN SEARCH: At their September meeting, the Board of Regents approved the appointment of Meredith McQuaid as associate vice president and dean for international programs. After an extensive national search, McQuaid was chosen for her demonstrated leadership ability, strong administrative background, solid academic credentials, and extensive international experience, said Senior Vice President Robert Jones. McQuaid, who served as the interim dean since November 2006, succeeds Dr. Gene Allen who retired after 40 years at the University. MORE

INTERNATIONAL ALUMNI AWARD: Two international alumni were awarded the University’s 2007 Distinguished Leadership Award for Internationals in May. The award honors alumni, former students, and friends of the University who have distinguished themselves in their post-university work as leaders in their professional careers. The recipients are Asefa Ashengo Agago, a Humphrey Fellow from Ethiopia (2001-02), and Dr. Yuichi Kondo from Japan, who earned a master's and Ph.D. in speech communications (1982, 1993). Dr. Kondo accepted his award at a reception for overseas advisers during the NAFSA conference on May 31 (see INTERNATIONAL EDUCATORS CONFERENCE below). RECIPIENT BIOS

FULBRIGHT RECEPTION: Are you a Fulbrighter? On Nov. 15, the Office of the President, Office of International Programs, Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, and the Graduate School are hosting a reception for all past and present Fulbright scholarship recipients at the University. If you ever participated in a Fulbright program, or are currently at the University on a Fulbright grant, you are encouraged to attend! Please send an email to Robin Matross Helms, rmhelms@umn.edu, to be added to the invitation list.

honorary degree ceremony in IcelandDELEGATION TO ICELAND: President Robert Bruininks led a delegation to Iceland May 23-25 in honor of the 25th anniversary of an educational exchange with the University of Iceland. Several exchange agreements were signed or renewed. The University also awarded 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 and was re-elected just prior to the delegation's visit. Pictured are (from left): President Bruininks, Haarde, and CLA Associate Dean Jim Parente.

NORMAN BORLAUG, University alumnus and an agricultural scientist who is credited with saving countless lives around the world through his crop research, received the Congressional Gold Medal in July. The award is Congress's highest honor for a civilian. Borlaug is one of only five people to have received the Nobel Prize, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the Congressional Gold Medal; the other four are Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, and Elie Wiesel.

INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION WEEK: Mark your calendars for International Education Week 2007, to be held Nov. 12-16. All student organizations, colleges, campuses, and departments are encouraged to plan activities and events that highlight international education at the University. In 2006, International Education Week included more than 40 events at the University. International Education Week was first declared by the U.S. Departments of State and Education in 2000 as part of their effort to encourage policies and programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study in the U.S. UNIVERSITY IE WEEK SITE

INTERNATIONAL EDUCATORS CONFERENCE: NAFSA (Association of International Educators) held its annual conference in Minneapolis May 27-June 1. The Office of International Programs hosted a booth at the exhibition hall; several University faculty and staff made presentations; and Brian Atwood, dean of the Humphrey Institute, gave a plenary speech (TEXT OF SPEECH). Also, in conjunction with the conference, the University hosted a reception for Fulbright directors and overseas advisers, who counsel students interested in studying in the U.S.

INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION RESOLUTION: On May 18, the Minnesota legislature became the 13th in the nation to recognize the importance of international education with the signing of a resolution of support. TEXT OF THE RESOLUTION

Program News

CHINA CENTER: Yongwei Zhang was named the new director of the China Center, effective July 1, 2007. Dr. Zhang came to the University from Missouri State University, where he simultaneously held multiple positions, including director of international programs and affairs, assistant vice president of research and economic development, and director of university programs in Asia. He was also a professor of geography in the Department of Geography, Geology, and Planning. A welcome event for Dr. Zhang is scheduled for Sept. 25 (see EVENTS section below).

CROOKSTON: Kimberly Gillette was named director of international programs at the Crookston campus, effective July 2007. Dr. Gillette comes to the University from Minnesota State University Moorhead's Office of International Programs where she served as the assistant director and coordinator for international student affairs.

FLACSO-MEXICO VISIT: A delegation of senior professors and researchers from FLACSO-Mexico (Facultad Latino Americana de Ciencias Sociales) will be visiting the University of Minnesota Oct. 1-5. Many of the events are open to the public. FLACSO is part of a partnership project involving the College of Education and Human Development, College of Liberal Arts, Humphrey Institute, the University Extension Service, and the Law School's Human Rights Center. The project is funded by an Interdisciplinary International Institutional Partnership Grant from the Office of International Programs. MORE

MEDICAL SCHOOL: In April, the University of Minnesota Medical School signed a new agreement for the exchange of faculty and students with Chung Shan Medical University (CSMU) in Taichung, Taiwan.

BILATERAL RESEARCH FORUM: Eleven scientists and researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) will visit the University Sept. 20-21 as part of the Second UofM-CAS Bilateral Research Forum. Topics range from earth science research and avian flu to biofuels and more. Nine University faculty from a variety of disciplines attended the first forum, which was held in November 2005 at CAS in Beijing. The forum in Minneapolis is sponsored by the Institute of Technology, the Office of the President, the Office of the Vice President for Research, and the China Center.

Professional Notes

BRIAN J. ATWOOD, dean of the Humphrey Institute, was named in June to the administrative council charged with overseeing reforms of social services in Equatorial Guinea, including health, education, women's issues, and sanitation. He was also appointed to the Advisory Commitee on Democracy Promotion, a bipartisan committee that provides Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice with advice on issues related to democracy promotion around the world.

AL BALKCUM, director of the Learning Abroad Center, received the Education Abroad Leadership Award from NAFSA: Association of International Educators in May. The award recognizes members who have an exemplary record of publication, teaching, advising, advocacy, leadership, new program development, or general service to the field that has made and will make a lasting contribution to education abroad.

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

LEARNING ABROAD FAIR will be held Sept. 19, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., on the west end of the Washington Avenue Bridge. In addition to Learning Abroad Center staff, the fair will feature representatives from a host of learning abroad cosponsors and partners. This is a great opportunity for students to communicate directly with program experts, and for faculty and staff to get a first-hand look at the breadth of international opportunities available to undergraduates.

"COMING HOME—Making Personal and Professional Use of Your International Experience" is a statewide-wide conference designed for all students who have studied abroad. Students will be able to share their knowledge and stories with peers from different colleges and universities, learn about international careers, and deepen their understanding of their experience. Sept. 22, 9:30 a.m., University of St. Thomas. MORE

PEACE CORPS: A Peace Corps recruiter is on campus every Tuesday to answer questions about the international volunteer organization.

See also "Learning Abroad Center" in the Funding Opportunities section below for information on faculty grants.

Funding Opportunities and Announcements

FULBRIGHT: Eight students have received Fulbright Scholarships for 2007-08. They are David Aftab Ansari, Tovah Bender, Rachel Maureen Brummel, Todd Riley Olin, Richard Charles Parks, Aeleah HeaRan Soine, Elizabeth Margaret Swedo, and Julie Elizabeth Whitcomb. MORE

LEARNING ABROAD CENTER announces two new grant opportunities for University of Minnesota faculty and staff. These grants are offered as part of the Study Abroad Curriculum Integration initiative and have been made possible by the Office of International Programs. DEADLINE: 4:30 p.m. on October 15, 2007 APPLICATION MATERIALS

U.S. DEPT. OF EDUCATION:

Events

The following are just a few of the many international-related events happening on campus. For more events, consult the University's EVENTS CALENDAR.

CARLA: The Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition is hosting the following events:

CHINA AND THE MIDDLE EAST: Ambassador Jeffrey Bader of the John L. Thornton China Center at the Brookings Institution, will give the China Center's 2007 Building U.S.-China Bridges Lecture on Sept. 20, 4 p.m., Ted Mann Concert Hall. He will discuss China’s national interest in securing oil and gas, leading the country to intensify its relationships in the Middle East. He will also argue that, as the world’s two largest consumers of oil, the U.S. and China—despite their serious political differences—have built-in reasons for cooperation rather than conflict on energy issues. MORE

DOCUMENTING CHINA: Contemporary Photography and Social Change exhibit is at the Weisman Art Museum through Nov. 25. Seven contemporary Chinese photographers give unrestricted views into the monumental transition now occurring in China. MORE

MINNESOTA INTERNATIONAL CENTER:

MOON FESTIVAL CELEBRATION: The China Center will celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival and welcome its new director Yongwei Zhang at a celebration with tea, moon cakes, and erhu music on Sept. 25, 3:30-5:30 p.m., Wilkins Room, Humphrey Center. In the spirit of the Chinese tradition, guests are encouraged to dress in ethnic clothing and share their talents during the event. The Moon Festival is a joyous holiday when family and friends gather to honor the full moon and the harvest. MORE: 612-624-1002

RAMADAN IFTAR: Break the fast at the Al-Madinah Cultural Center's Ramadan Iftar. Sept. 25 and 26, Oct. 1,3,8, and 9; 5-7 p.m.; The Whole, Coffman Memorial Union.

ROBERT A. KANN MEMORIAL LECTURE: "Jewish Humor and Popular Culture in Fin-de-siecle Budapest" by Mary Gluck, Brown University. The lecture will examine the role of humor by and about Jews in popular culture. Sponsored by the Center for Austrian Studies, Center for Jewish Studies, and the Cultural Studies & Comparative Literature department. Sept. 20, 7:30-9:30 p.m., Ski-U-Mah Room, McNamara Alumni Center.

"THEY DON'T LIKE US: Global Attitudes Toward the U.S. and other World Powers" with Andrew Kohut, director of the most extensive global surveys of public attitudes toward the United States, will report on his latest findings and their implications for America’s future foreign policy. Hosted by the Humphrey Institute's Center for the Study of Politics and Governance. Sept. 26, 7-8:30 p.m., Cowles Auditorium, Humphrey Center.

University of Minnesota
International Campus Update
Vol. 8, No. 7

Office of International Programs
Associate Vice President and Dean: Meredith McQuaid
Editor: Jennifer Schulz