International Campus Update
September 11, 2008
International Campus Update is a monthly e-mail and online newsletter about international issues, events, and announcements at the University of Minnesota, compiled by the Office of International Programs.
In This Issue:
- Headlines
- Program News
- Study, Service Learning, Intern, Volunteer, Work, and Travel Abroad
- Funding Opportunities and Announcements
- Events
Headlines
OIP HAS MOVED: Several units within the Office of International Programs moved to the East Bank in June. The OIP Dean's Office, China Center, CARLA, and the new Confucius Institute (see PROGRAM NEWS below) are now located in the University International Center at 331 17th Ave SE (map). Phone numbers and email addresses remain the same. Note that the Learning Abroad Center and International Student and Scholar Services remain on the West Bank.
GRAND OPENING: Members of the University community are invited to the University International Center grand opening.
Tuesday, Sept. 16
331 17th Ave SE (map)
Open House 3:30–5:30 p.m.
Ribbon-Cutting 4:30 p.m.
Food, drink, and music from around the world! No RSVP is necessary.
AFRICA TRIP: Senior Vice President Robert Jones led a delegation to South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda in August to seek meaningful and strategic partnerships with institutions in southern Africa. The delegation included representatives from the Office of International Programs; School of Public Health; School of Dentistry; College of Education and Human Development; College of Veterinary Medicine; College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resource Sciences; and the Medical School.
MPLS PEACE CORPS OFFICE TO CLOSE: The Peace Corps has proposed closing the Minneapolis regional recruitment center and merging it with the Chicago office by the end of the year. The Minneapolis office recruits volunteers in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and North and South Dakota. The University was ranked 9th among large universities in the number of volunteers in 2007. (NEWS ARTICLE ABOUT THE MERGER)
NORWEGIAN CONSULATE GENERAL in Minneapolis has been converted into an Honorary Consulate General as of Aug. 1. Former Vice President Walter Mondale has been appointed Honorary Consul General. (CONSULATE WEBSITE)
UNIVERSITY IS RANKED 28TH IN WORLD according to the Shanghai Jiao Tong University's Institute of Higher Education latest ranking release in August. The international ranking of 500 world universities (public and private) looks at the strength of faculty research, publishing impact, and faculty honors. This is the first time the University has reached the top 30. (MORE)
INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION WEEK 2008 will be held Nov. 17-21. All student organizations, colleges, campuses, and departments are encouraged to plan activities and events that highlight international education at the University. In 2007, International Education Week included more than 60 events at the University. International Education Week was first declared by the U.S. Departments of State and Education in 2000. (UNIVERSITY IE WEEK SITE)
INT'L ALUMNI AWARD WINNERS will visit campus this fall to accept the Distinguished Leadership Award for Internationals, which honors alumni, former students, and friends of the University who have distinguished themselves in their post-university work as leaders in their professional careers. Meeran Chadha Borwankar (2008 recipient) and Asefa Ashengo Agago (2007) will receive their awards at the welcome reception for Humphrey Fellows on Sept. 15. Dr. Mustafa Dilber (2008) will be honored at the Carlson School's International Programs reception on Sept. 24. The deadline for the next round of nominations is Feb. 2, 2009. (RECIPIENT BIOS and NOMINATION MATERIALS)
Program News
UMD: The University of Minnesota-Duluth awarded an honorary doctor of law degree to Finnish President Tarja Halonen in July in recognition of her leadership on behalf of the rights of women, workers, and the poor. More than 3,500 people attended the ceremony, which was part of FinnFest 2008—a national celebration of Finnish culture. (MORE)
CEHD: Minnesota International Development Educators Consortium (MIDEC)—a collaboration between the College of Education and Human Development, the College's Educational Policy and Administration program, and Miske Witt and Associates recently won a $1 million award from CARE International to become a research partner around the area of girls education. Faculty, staff, and students along with Miske Witt and Associates will work in eight countries to support CARE's girls education efforts.
CONFUCIUS INSTITUTE at the University of Minnesota (CIUMN) will officially open with a ceremony on Sept. 19. The CIUMN is a collaborative initiative between the Council for Chinese Language International (Hanban) and its partner university, Capital Normal University, in Beijing to promote the study of Chinese language and culture in Minnesota. Planned programming includes cultural and language training for the business community, professional development training and support for Chinese language teachers, and cultural programming for the general public throughout the year. The CIUMN is one of approximately 40 Confucius Institutes in the U.S. and nearly 250 worldwide. As part of its grand opening, the Institute will also host a Chinese performing group on Sept. 21 (see EVENTS section below).
INT'L COLLABORATION CONFERENCE: The University of Minnesota is co-sponsoring a national conference on Challenges and Tensions in International Research Collaborations, which will take place at the Radisson University Hotel on Oct. 2-3. The 25 invited speakers represent research collaborations in more than 60 countries. The focus is on problems that arise because of differences in the organization and funding of research, cultural expectations, legal and regulatory environments, and graduate training. At present, more than 225 researchers are registered to attend. (CONFERENCE WEBSITE)
Study, Service Learning, Intern, Volunteer, Work, and Travel Abroad
LEARNING ABROAD FAIR will be held Sept. 17, 10 a.m.–2:30 p.m., outside of 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.
GRANTS: The Learning Abroad Center announces two 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: 4:00 p.m. on October 3, 2008
- Intercultural Engagement Grants are offered for activities that engage international students and returned study abroad students with a focus on intercultural engagement and student development. (APPLICATION MATERIALS)
- Innovation for Broader Engagement Grants are offered for activities to increase faculty and staff involvement in and awareness of study abroad. (APPLICATION MATERIALS)
Funding Opportunities and Announcements
FULBRIGHT: Thirteen University of Minnesota students received Fulbright grants for 2008-09, an increase from an average of eight students in recent years. (MORE)
JUDD FELLOWS EXPO: The annual poster session and reception for recipients of the Walter H. Judd International Graduate and Professional Fellowships will be Oct. 8, 4:30-6:30 p.m., at McNamara Alumni Center. Open to the public. Advisers, faculty, and former Judd Fellows are especially encouraged to attend. Deadline for the next round of fellowships is Feb. 9, 2009. (LIST OF 2008 FELLOWS)
NSEP: The National Security Education Program (NSEP) David L. Boren Undergraduate Scholarship for study abroad is an opportunity for undergraduate students to learn a language abroad. The NSEP Scholarship can be used in countries other than Western Europe, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand, and a foreign language must be part of the study abroad experience. The maximum award is $8,000 for a summer program, $10,000 for a semester, or $20,000 for a full academic year. The University's campus deadline is noon on Jan. 21, 2009. (MORE)
Events
CARLA: The Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition is hosting the following events in September:
- An Introduction to CARLA: Sept. 17, 12:20–1:10 p.m., 30 Jones Hall. Find out about CARLA's mission, its accomplishments and current projects, and how the Center fits into the national community of language resource centers.
- CARLA Open House and Invited Lecture, "Reinventing the Study of Cultures and Languages in the U.S.," by H. Stephen Straight, professor of anthropology and of linguistics and vice provost for undergraduate education and international affairs at Binghamton University, State University of New York. Sept. 26, 4–6 p.m., University International Center. Lecture (4–5 p.m.) will be followed by the annual CARLA Open House, which will feature information booths of all the CARLA programs and refreshments.
CHINESE PERFORMING GROUP: As part of its grand opening festivities, the new Confucius Institute at the University of Minnesota will host an evening of Chinese music, dance, puppetry, and magic by the Jiangsu Silk and Bamboo Performing Group of China on Sept. 21, 7 p.m., at the Ted Mann Concert Hall. Tickets are $28; call 612-625-5080 for more information and to purchase tickets.
CULTURE CORPS: A Showcase of Intercultural Programs by International Women, Sept. 24, noon–2 p.m., 110 Heller Hall. Through the International Student and Scholar Services Culture Corps program, students propose, design, and implement projects to internationalize the University. This panel of international women will share what their projects are, what they have contributed to the University, and insights gained about the U.S. and the University. (FOR MORE INFORMATION)
GRIFFIN LECTURE: Rob Gifford, former China correspondent for National Public Radio, will speak at the China Center's eighth annual Bob and Kim Griffin Building U.S.-China Bridges Lecture on the topic "China Road: A Journey into the Future of a Rising Power" on Oct. 1 at Ted Mann Concert Hall. He will speak about his 3,000-mile journey across China where he befriended everyone from truckers to traveling salesmen to prostitutes and politicians, in an attempt to answer one big question: “Which is it going to be for China, greatness or implosion?” Event includes a reception (5 p.m.), lecture and discussion (6 p.m.), and book signing and door prizes (7:15 p.m.). Free and open to the public.
INDIAN MUSIC CONCERT: The Indian Music Society of Minnesota and the India Center Initiative at the University of Minnesota present India's foremost sitarist Shahid Parvez Khan with Subhajyoti Guha on tabla. Sept. 14, 4 p.m., Coffman Memorial Union Theater. Tickets: $50 VIP/Donor, $30 general, $20 students/seniors. (MORE)
SMALL WORLD COFFEE HOUR: Bi-weekly event gives international and U.S. students, staff, and faculty opportunities to meet and socialize. Sponsored by International Student and Scholar Services, it is held every other Friday, 4–6 p.m. The first Coffee Hour of the semester is Sept. 12 in the Humphrey Center Atrium and will feature the theme, "Welcome to Minnesota."
SOUTH ASIA SEMINAR SERIES: "Do Haath (A Pair of Hands)—A Staged Reading of Ismat Chughtai's Story," Sept. 13 and 14, 7–9 p.m., Pangea World Theater Studio, 711 W. Lake St, Suite 101, Minneapolis. Sponsored by the Consortium for the Study of the Asias. (MORE EVENTS)
University of Minnesota
International Campus Update
Vol. 9, No. 4
Office of International Programs
Associate Vice President and Dean: Meredith McQuaid
Editor: Jennifer Schulz