News Global Perspectives - Spring 2008 Newsletter | Global Perspectives - Spring 2008 Newsletter |
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In this issue of Global Perspectives you will find the following stories:
Internationalization of Ohio State should be second nature Joseph Alutto The question remains, ‘What does it mean to internationalize the university?’ “We have to be open and welcoming to international students and faculty. We need to participate in activities around the world, be involved in programs that focus on issues that are truly global,” said Joseph A. Alutto, executive vice president and provost of Ohio State. “It means never having to ask the question. It becomes part of the DNA of the institution.” For example, instead of researching issues on a regional basis, the emphasis should be steered toward the global perspective. “We want to get to a place where thinking internationally becomes automatic,” Alutto said. “It just happens.” To envision a university that is international in scope, more students need to be studying abroad, more international students and scholars should be coming to Ohio State, and more faculty members should be conducting research in other countries. “The traffic has to go both ways,” Alutto said. “It is crucial to have a world class library, cutting-edge language facilities, first-rate programs in languages and cultures. We also must hire people who believe in internationalization. And, we need to put the resources behind our convictions.” Alutto believes it is important to consider how the university is supporting faculty members who travel outside of the United States to conduct research. “We have to ensure that Ohio State is making it easy to conduct research abroad and that we can readily reciprocate by welcoming international scholars,” he said. A small work group formed last year has helped determine the first steps in the internationalization process. Dieter Wanner, interim associate provost for international affairs, Rick Herrmann, director of the Mershon Center for International Security Studies, and Dan Sedmak, executive vice dean of medicine, developed a draft working statement that provides guidelines for establishing international partnerships. These partnerships should involve shared research projects, exchanges between faculty and students alike with universities around the world, as well as collaborations among colleges and departments right here at Ohio State. "The process of internationalization is happening now," Alutto said. "We are asking key questions such as: What will be our international partnerships? Where should we be focusing our attention? What institutions should we engage as we move forward?" The next steps toward internationalization include establishing a standing university-wide council, which will be guided by the recommendations of both the International Task Force and the small work group. By placing emphasis on global opportunities, Ohio State will be able to reach beyond all national and cultural boundaries, and provide additional benefits and experiences to students, faculty and staff. International Affairs Mission and VisionThe Office of International Affairs at Ohio State serves as the institutional anchor for enhancing and disseminating knowledge about the regions, cultures, languages and significant issues of the world. One of the goals is to add value to the internationalization of Ohio State and provide a platform through which students, faculty and staff can take advantage of international opportunities in learning and research at home and around the globe. In order to help the university reach its potential, International Affairs recently developed a new mission and vision statement that outlines its activities and lays the groundwork for future growth. MissionThe Office of International Affairs:
VisionThe Ohio State community relies on the unique international expertise of the Office of International Affairs to provide it with information and access to premier opportunities in a global setting. Agreements set the stage for educational and research exchanges Bud Baeslack, Michael Bargende, Giorgio Rizzoni, Jurgen Blum, and Volkmar Kubler sign Memorandum of Agreement between Ohio State and the Universitat Stuttgart of Germany. The Ohio State University has signed formal agreements to collaborate on international exchanges and research projects with Wuhan University of China and Universität Stuttgart of Germany. Delegations from both universities visited the Ohio State campus and met with representatives from various departments, including President E. Gordon Gee and Provost Joseph Alutto. The Office of International Affairs helps facilitate Memoranda of Agreement with foreign universities and is responsible for monitoring the formation of agreements and ensuring the terms meet the objectives of Ohio State’s Academic Plan. Establishing meaningful relationships between Ohio State and foreign institutions enhances the instruction, scholarship, research and outreach opportunities for faculty and students and facilitates global awareness and understanding. Ohio State currently has more than 200 active agreements with foreign universities. The agreement with Wuhan University and its President, Liu Jingnan, will allow for the ongoing exchange of students in chemistry, engineering and business; the ability to study the organizational structure of OSU Medical Center; the possibility of developing a joint Ph.D. program; and the potential to conduct joint research on environmental issues related to energy. Ohio State’s partnership with Universität Stuttgart will facilitate the exchange of teaching materials and scientific literature, the collaboration on research, and it will initiate a student and faculty exchange program. Additionally, Ohio State’s Center for Automotive Research (CAR) has formed a partnership with Stuttgart FKFS, a research and development operation affiliated with the Universität Stuttgart, to collaborate on research initiatives. Wolfe scholarships provide international experience to students John F. Wolfe “These scholarships have helped the university attract those students seeking ways to enrich their academic program through international experience,” said Dieter Wanner, interim associate provost of international affairs. “Studying abroad enables students to gain a sense of independence, become more confident, and acquire valuable skills in preparation for today’s job market.”
The Wolfe Study Abroad Scholarships Endowed Fund was established with a $1 million gift from the Dispatch Printing Company of Columbus. Since its inception, the scholarships have helped 188 students from Ohio study abroad in 39 countries. Mershon professor examines role of international women in politics Pamela Paxton Pamela Paxton, Mershon Center affiliate and Associate Professor of Sociology and Political Science at The Ohio State University, is one of those taking an interest in women with political power. Paxton and Melanie Hughes, a doctoral student in sociology at Ohio State, co-authored Women, Politics, and Power: A Global Perspective (Sage, 2007). Paxton and Hughes’ book explores measurements of gender in politics using broad statistical overviews and case studies from around the world. According to their research, the United States ranks in the “middle of the pack” when it comes to political equality for women. Internationally, Paxton and Hughes argue, women have made progress in all areas of political decision making in the past century. However, they still have a long way to go to achieve equality with men in most countries. “Many people think of Scandinavian countries as the most gender-equal globally, and they are partially right,” Paxton said. But Rwanda ranks highest for number of women in positions of political power at 49 percent, while Sweden comes in second at 47 percent. The United States has 16 percent women in Congress. Another surprise is that Switzerland rates low on the measure of women’s suffrage, which was not granted until 1971. Some of the slowest countries to allow women the right to vote are in the Middle East, including Kuwait, which granted suffrage in 2005, and Saudi Arabia, which still does not allow women to legally vote. The reasons why some countries exemplify greater gender equality than others are varied, including cultural perceptions and socialization patterns, Paxton said. She pointed out the effectiveness of gender quotas in some countries, such as Iraq, Argentina and Rwanda. In Iraq, the number of women in the legislature skyrocketed from 7 percent to 25 percent due to effective gender quotas in the new constitution. While legislation may help even political participation in some countries, one inhibiting factor for women is the lack of political ambition, Paxton said. Studies have shown that from a population of equally qualified men and women, a larger number of men than women say they would run for political office and actually do run for office. Ohio State strengthens study of Central AsiaThe importance of Central Asia has grown immensely in the post-Cold War, post 9-11 world because the region resides at the nexus between Russia, China, the Middle East and South Asia. Behind the iron curtain for most of the 20th century, Central Asia has undergone rapid post-socialist democratic reforms and economic liberalizations since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The region is of current interest to world superpowers because of its large underdeveloped reserve of hydrocarbons. Ohio State is positioning itself as a leader in the study of Central Asia, by teaching languages specific to Central Asian culture, by hiring faculty who specialize in the region, and by utilizing the resources of three Area Studies Centers: the Center for Slavic and East European Studies, the East Asian Studies Center, and the Middle East Studies Center. International Scholar Profile Names: Anna Serdyuchenko (AS) and Evgeny Mintusov (EM)Home country, city: Russia, Moscow. Degree: AS – PhD, Physics (Ruhr-University of Bochum, Germany). EM – PhD, Plasma Physics (Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Russia). Department at Ohio State: Department of Mechanical Engineering. Ohio State faculty mentor: Professor Igor Adamovich. What are your research/specialty interests? AS: Plasma processes and applications, laser-based diagnostics. EM: Plasma assisted combustion, non-equilibrium processes in plasma. How long have you been in the United States? AS: I arrived October 2006 in Reno, Nevada. In July 2007 I transferred to OSU. I’m not sure how much longer I’ll stay. I suppose until end of this summer at least. EM: I arrived in Columbus in May 2007, and I hope to stay here for one more year at least. Why did you choose Ohio State? AS: The department offered me research work on my topics of interests in perfectly equipped labs. EM: After my PhD thesis defense, I was looking for opportunities for professional growth and new insight into my specialty. I found them in the research lab of Professor Adamovich at OSU. What have you been doing at Ohio State as part of your exchange visit? AS: My scientific activity embraces experiments based on the molecular spectroscopy and laser diagnostics. EM: I primarily deal with plasma assisted combustion experiments and modeling, as well as plasma diagnostics and fuel reforming. What has most surprised you about your experience in Columbus? AS: I was surprised to find football to be much more interesting thing than I always thought. EM: The lifestyle here completely differs from what I’m used to. Coming from Moscow, a 10 million person megalopolis, which never sleeps, I was surprised to see empty streets even during the daytime. What has been the hardest thing to adapt to since you’ve come to Columbus? AS: Nothing. Just nothing! It’s very convenient and comfortable here. EM: Language. It was very hard for me to adopt typical phrases which are usually pronounced very quickly: “you’re all set,” “paper or plastic?” and so on. What is the most fun/exciting thing you’ve done since you’ve arrived at Ohio State? AS: Mmmm…. EM: The most exciting thing for me was that I LIVE IN THE U.S. Namely – I live, not simple exist or survive. I always thought that it’s some kind of challenge, because it’s another country, and a different nation…. But during my first weekend in Columbus I understood that – the people here are very similar to me. And, of course, the most exciting event for me since I came to Ohio was my visit to Formula 1 racing in Indianapolis. I arranged my entire trip by myself in a new surrounding in a foreign country – and I was really excited. So, OSU became the closest point to realize my old dream! AS: Well, it is really true – to be a foreigner, a “non-resident alien,” is exciting by itself. It is much more exciting than just tourism. Everyone should try it at least once. How has the Office of International Affairs helped you adapt to campus life? AS, EM: OIA always gave us quick and professional help on any question. Besides, we appreciate OIA activities and organizing different multicultural events. We would like to thank friendly and qualified personnel at the Office of International Affairs…for sincere interest in our needs. New course examines environmental issues in AfricaOhio State’s Center for African Studies has helped fund the development of a course that will provide an overview of environmental issues in different ecological settings across the African continent. Dr. Mark Moritz, an assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology, will teach “Anthropology of Africa,” for the first time spring quarter. Moritz will help students examine issues of environmental security, dryland development and nature conservation. His goal is for students to come to an anthropological understanding of the complexity of environmental issues in contemporary Africa within the context of global climate change. The Center for African Studies was motivated to develop a course that surrounded environmental issues in Africa for several reasons. “College students today are very aware of the importance of environmental protection, and therefore this course should have wide appeal,” said David Kraybill, director of the center. “Many OSU students also have a humanitarian interest in Africa. The environment is especially important in Africa because of widespread poverty, and the poorer people are, the more they are exposed to the environment and the more they depend on it for their well being. This course focuses on how humans affect the environment and how the environment affects humans in Africa.” The Center for African Studies works to expand African studies curriculum across disciplines, increase interaction between Africanist faculty across campus, organize lectures and conferences, and conduct outreach activities with K12, business, government and civic groups. Studying agriculture in Brazil provides alternative point of viewHiking through a rain forest in Cardoso Island, visiting the Port of Santos, taking instructional tours of Aurora Foods and McDonald’s Food Town and Hamburger University, painting a house for the homeless and spending long days in the classroom, is how 18 students from the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (FAES) spent much of their winter quarter. The students earned 15 credit hours studying agricultural economics, Brazilian history and culture and natural resources management on the Piracicaba campus of the University of São Paulo’s agricultural school over seven weeks in Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil. FAES has long been a strong supporter of its students studying abroad and currently sponsors 14 study abroad programs in 12 countries. “The key role of study abroad is to provide our students with opportunities to learn in another country,” said Dave Hansen, associate dean and director of international programs in agriculture. “This learning process will help them to understand what the world has to offer in terms of market opportunities, alternative ways of doing things, and alternative cultural values. Even more importantly, it will provide them with an opportunity to view our society and culture from alternative perspectives.” Hansen explained that in order to remain competitive in a global economy, it is important to know about agriculture in other countries, to understand cultural values and consumer preferences, and to establish strong working relationships with others across international lines. “Only in this way will we be able to access useful new technologies and ways of getting things done in other lands, be able to jointly develop them, and be able to remain competitive,” Hansen said. “Twenty years from now, when graduates of Ohio State have assumed leadership positions in their respective employer institutions, they will need to have a global perspective and an understanding of other peoples and nations if they are to be effective decision makers.” Bhutanese monk creates sand mandala Kezang Dorjee creates sand mandala. Kezang Dorjee, a Bhutanese monk, worked close to 15 hours in the World Media and Culture Center in Hagerty Hall over a three-day period to create a sand mandala, a meditational tool used by Buddhists. Dorjee placed colored sand, pinch by pinch, onto a flat surface, to create a colorful sand mandala that was 3 feet in diameter. Each color symbolizes a principle of Buddhism and carries significant meanings and lessons regarding the Buddhist conceptual universe. Once the mandala was completed, the elaborate sand diagram was swept up and destroyed, a process meant to remind the viewer that life is fleeting and temporary. The sand mandala was the focal point of the Himalayan cultural weekend, sponsored by the East Asian Studies Center with additional support from the Film Studies Program, the Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures, the Foreign Language Center and the World Media and Culture Center. Apply Now for the 2009-2010 Fulbright Scholar ProgramOhio State faculty and professionals are encouraged to apply to the Fulbright Scholar Program if they are interested in lecturing or conducting research abroad, or participating in international seminars. The Council for the International Exchange of Scholars is accepting applications now for grants that will be available to use in 2009-2010. Distinguished Chairs ProgramConsidered among the most prestigious appointments, candidates should be senior scholars and have a significant publication and teaching record. Traditional Scholar ProgramEight hundred U.S. faculty and staff are awarded the opportunity to lecture and/or conduct research abroad for at least three months up to one year in a variety of academic and professional fields. Senior Specialists ProgramShort-term opportunities from two to six weeks are made available to provide faculty and professionals greater flexibility to pursue a grant that best fits their current academic or professional commitments.
Global Perspectives is published quarterly by the Office of International Affairs. Dieter Wanner, Interim Associate Provost. If you would like to receive this newsletter via e-mail, please contact Maureen Miller, Director of Communications, at oia@osu.edu.Look for Global Perspectives online summer quarterTo keep pace with international activities on campus during summer quarter, please view the summer edition of Global Perspectives online at oia.osu.edu in mid-June. Both the print and online versions of Global Perspectives will be available again autumn quarter. |
