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Office of International Programs

Office of International Programs

International Campus Update

May 15, 2009

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

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT PHOTO CONTEST:

winning photo in ISSS photo contest, photo of downtown Minneapolis skyline at nightThe winners of the first International Student Photo Contest have been announced. International students were asked to submit photos taken in the U.S. Winners were chosen by popular vote at the Small World Coffee Hour. Sponsored by International Student and Scholar Services. (VIEW THE WINNING PHOTOS)

INTERNATIONAL ALUMNI AWARDS: Six international alumni have been awarded the University’s 2009 Distinguished Leadership Award for Internationals. 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 Elijah Bitange Ndomo, Kenya (CSOM); Per-Harald Grue, Norway (CFANS/CBS); Muhammad Haj-Yahia, Israel (CEHD); Miki Horie, Japan (CEHD); Ajay Pandey, India (IT); and Eliana Sousa Silva, Brazil (HHH). Bios and photos of the recipients will be posted on the OIP website shortly. The deadline for the next round of nominations will be in February 2010.

NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR AWARD FOR GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT: The all-University 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 to the University. Recipients receive a cash prize and an honorary title. The award is sponsored by the Office of the Senior Vice President for System Academic Administration and administered by the Office of International Programs. The deadline for submission is June 15, 2009. (MORE)

TRANSATLANTIC SCIENCE WEEK 2009 will be held at the Twin Cities campus September 27-30. The event provides a meeting space for partnerships in research, innovation, and higher education. The theme of "Fight for Survival" focuses on renewable energy and how science, international partnerships, and public policy must play a role. The event is a partnership between the Honorary Norwegian Consulate General in Minneapolis, Norwegian Embassy in Washington D.C., Research Council of Norway, Innovation Norway, Norwegian Center for International Cooperation in Higher Education, and the University. (MORE)

Program News

BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES/MEDICAL SCHOOL: The University has received a $100,000 Grand Challenges Explorations grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support an innovative global health research project conducted by Reuben Harris, associate professor of biochemistry, molecular biology and biophysics, “Mortalizing HIV – A Novel Method to Help Eradicate AIDS.” The Grand Challenges Exploration is an initiative to help scientists around the world explore bold and largely unproven ways to improve health in developing countries. (MORE)

CARLSON SCHOOL: Full-time MBA students (starting with those entering in fall 2009) will be required to participate in an international experience as part of their academic program, similar to the requirement for undergraduates in the school. MBA students will participate in a three-credit course during their second year that includes a two-week program abroad. The new initiative strengthens the Carlson School's commitment to experiential learning and students' development as globally competent business leaders.

FULBRIGHT SUMMER NORWEGIAN PROGRAM: The Educational Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Department of State recently notified International Student and Scholar Services that they will be awarded a $209,000 grant to host 12 Fulbright students for the Summer Institute for Norwegian Students in the Sciences. The themes of the institute are the arctic, climate change, and environmental sustainability. The program capitalizes on the wealth of scientific opportunities in Minnesota by incorporating a retreat with Will Steger and his foundation and University of Minnesota-sponsored field experiences at Itasca Biological Research Station and Laboratory, Cedar Creek Research Station, Soudan Mine, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, and the Large Lakes Observatory. Participants will also benefit from experts at the Minneapolis Planetarium and Science Museum of Minnesota and from connections with the Norwegian Consulate and Minnesota International Center. Barbara Kappler, ISSS, is the principal investigator on the grant, and the design represents a collaboration among several units, including the College of Biological Sciences.

OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS announces staffing changes in the dean's office:

  • OIP's new chief of staff Molly Portz started on April 27. Molly will assist the dean in the areas of administration, strategic planning, and management of the office. Molly comes to OIP from the Academic Health Center where she was director of media relations and worked closely with the center's global health initiatives.
  • Gayle Woodruff will be the new director of curriculum and campus internationalization, effective July 1. This is an outgrowth and expansion of the work Gayle currently does in the Learning Abroad Center. Gayle will be responsible for developing and implementing OIP-wide short- and long-term strategies to achieve the University's goals of curriculum and campus internationalization, primarily at the undergraduate level, but also including graduate and professional levels of education.

STARTALK GRANT: The University was recently awarded a Startalk Grant to fund the Mandarin Elementary Immersion Summer Teacher Education Program (MEISTEP), a four-week program aligned to national teacher preparation standards that will improve participants' curricular and instructional skills needed for integrating language, literacy, content, and culture in Mandarin immersion. MEISTEP is a collaboration of the University of Minnesota's Confucius Institute, CARLA, and the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in partnership with Yinghua Academy, a K-5 Mandarin immersion charter school.

Professional Notes

GABRIELE SCHMIEGEL, a counselor in International Student and Scholar Services, has been named a recipient of the University's 2009 Award for Outstanding Service. The award recognizes exceptional service to the University, its schools, colleges, departments, and service units by any active or retired faculty or staff member. Recipients of this award have gone well beyond their regular duties and have demonstrated an unusual commitment to the University community.

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

RE-ENTRY CONFERENCE: "Coming Home: Making Personal and Professional Use of Your International Experience" will be held September 19 for all Minnesota college and university students returning from study abroad. The 2009 conference will be hosted by Augsburg College and is a partnership between a dozen institutions from across the state, including UMTC and UMD. Registration is now open; fee is $10. (MORE)

STUDY ABROAD HEALTH, SAFETY, & SECURITY SEMINAR: UMTC is co-sponsoring a full-day health and safety workshop on June 15. The seminar will be held at the downtown Minneapolis campus of the University of St. Thomas. This free, one-day seminar will address critical study abroad health and safety issues, such as alcohol and drug use and abuse, student mental health issues, crisis response, training for program leaders, and university travel clinics. Seminar is aimed at study abroad professionals, but interested colleagues from other fields are welcome. (MORE)

Funding Opportunities and Announcements

FULBRIGHTS FOR FACULTY: The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to “increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.” The Fulbright Program sends thousands of American scholars and professionals per year to approximately 125 countries, where they lecture and/or conduct research in a wide variety of academic and professional fields. Application deadline is Aug. 1, 2009. U.S. citizenship is required.The Fulbright faculty and scholars competition is administered at the University of Minnesota through the Office of International Programs. (MORE)

FULBRIGHTS FOR STUDENTS: Fourteen University of Minnesota students have received Fulbright grants for 2009-10 to pursue graduate study in a foreign country during the next two years (LIST OF STUDENTS). The Fulbrights won by University of Minnesota students this year represent an increase from last year's total of 13 and the University's average of approximately eight Fulbright Scholars in recent years. The Fulbright student competition is administered at the University of Minnesota through the Graduate School and the Office for National Scholarships in the University Honors Program.

DUNN PEACE: The recipient of the 2009-10 Dunn Peace Research Scholarship is Grace Ezzell (Economics & Spanish), who will research Palestinian youth and the future of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

JUDD FELLOWSHIPS: Ten graduate and professional degree students have been awarded fellowships in 2009 through OIP's Walter H. Judd International Graduate and Professional Fellowships. The fellowships provide critical assistance to graduate students to study, undertake internships, and conduct research projects abroad. (MORE)

NSEP SCHOLARSHIP: UMTC undergraduates Simone Bak and Kathleen Bartczak have received a National Security Education Program David L. Boren Scholarship. Simone will study Arabic in Amman, Jordan, and Kathleen will study Swahili in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, during the 2009-10 academic year. The NSEP scholarship focuses on geographical areas, languages, and fields of study deemed critical to U.S. national security. One University of Minnesota graduate student was awarded a Boren Fellowship, although the name has not yet been announced. (MORE ABOUT NSEP: undergraduate | graduate)

HSIAO SCHOLARSHIPS: Two students have been selected for the China Center’s Hsiao Scholarship for study abroad for the 2009 May and summer session. The Hsiao Scholarship provides opportunities for University students to incorporate an educational experience in China as part of their academic studies.

  • Joanne Liu (biological sciences) will attend Fudan University to complete a Chinese language-intensive program.
  • Kia Lor (College of Liberal Arts) will participate in the Global Seminar “Made in China,” which takes place in Beijing, Shanghai, and Tianjin.

RED POCKETS SCHOLARSHIPS: Three students have been selected for the China Center’s Red Pockets Scholarship for study abroad for the 2009 May and summer session. 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.

  • Daniel Amodeo (religious studies) will participate in the Woodenfish Program by immersing himself into the daily life at Fo Guang Shan monastery outside of Gaoxiong, Taiwan.
  • Joanne Liu (biological sciences) will attend Fudan University to complete a Chinese language-intensive program.
  • Kia Lor (College of Liberal Arts) will participate in the Global Seminar “Made in China,” which takes place in Beijing, Shanghai, and Tianjin.

Events

global spotlight logo2009 HUMAN RIGHTS LAW & POLICY CONFERENCE: Advocates for Human Rights conference, "Refugee Protection around the World: Durable Solutions or Durable Suffering?" will be held June 22, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Dorsey & Whitney LLP, 50 South Sixth Street, 15th Floor in downtown Minneapolis. This year’s conference will bring together local, national, and international experts and advocates to examine the current refugee protection system, its shortcomings, and possible durable solutions. Co-sponsored by the Global Spotlight initiative in the Office of International Programs. (MORE)

CELEBRATION OF BRAZIL, Minnesota International Center's annual gala benefit, will be June 13, 4:30-8 p.m. The benefit will feature Brazilian-themed food and entertainment as well as the popular
Tour the World live and silent auctions. (DETAILS AND REGISTRATION)

global spotlight logoEvents noted with the spotlight logo support the Global Spotlight initiative—a biennial focus on a region of the world and a pressing global issue. In 2009-2010, the focus will be on the continent of Africa and the issue of Water in the World. For more events or to include your event on the calendar, go to the Global Spotlight website.

University of Minnesota
International Campus Update
Vol. 10, No. 4

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