New York Times best-selling author Sharyn McCrumb visited the ELI’s Reading and Writing 450 class this April. The class has been reading and discussing her novel, She Walks These Hills. Students were thrilled to learn the details of how Ms. McCrumb named the book’s, characters, when she likes to write, and what she has planned for her upcoming novels. Currently, Ms. McCrumb is conferring with two students from the class to assist her in her research. What an exciting collaboration!
The English Language Institute (ELI) is pleased to announce the arrival of Humphrey Fellows for a Long-Term Intensive English Training Program beginning in April, 2008.
The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program was established in 1978 to honor the public service career of its namesake. The Fellowship is a Fulbright exchange activity, with primary funding provided by the U.S. Congress through the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The Institute of International Education administers the program.
- Firuz Sattorov (Tajikistan): Mr. Sattorov is Head of the Anti-Trafficking Department and National Legal Advisor for the International Organization for Migration. He is also a teacher/Researcher at Tajik State National University. Mr. Sattarov is interested in the process of developing anti-trafficking legislation and otherwise combating the practice of trafficking in persons.
- Nang Sam Phoo (Myanmar): A Technical Specialist for the Integrated Community Development Project of the United Nations Development Programme, Ms. Phoo specializes in adult and child literacy and grassroots, community-based development. She is engaging in the Humphrey Fellows program to improve her ability to plan educational programs to meet the needs of target illiterate children and adults.
- Katia Nakashigue (Brazil): An architect for Progren Emprendimentos Ind. e Com, LTDA, Ms. Nakashigue is involved with the supervision, management and coordination of low-income housing construction. She wishes to perform field research in successful vertical low-income housing projects in large urban centers, and to develop an understanding as to why they have succeeded.
- Svetlana Malkarova (Russia): Ms. Malkarova is a Political Consultant for the State Duma of the Russian Federation. Her areas of interest include government decision-making, negotiating, lobbying and corruption. Ms. Malkarova will study the interaction of the legislature and lobbyists here in the United States.
- Wei Huang (China): A Partner and Deputy Director of Fujian Xufeng Law Firm, Mr. Huang has expertise in comprehensive protection of intellectual property rights in China. He also heads the Fujian Young Lawyers’ Association. Mr. Huang intends to use his Humphrey knowledge to enhance intellectual property protection through an increased awareness of intellectual property rights and legislative reform.
- Chhun Singha (Cambodia): Mr. Singha works for the United Nations Development Program as Local Capacity Building/Local Administration Advisor. His interest areas include government decentralization, sustainable government through public participation, accountability and transparency. He hopes to use his knowledge to reduce poverty by increasing the opportunity for average people to participate in local government.
- Arturo Cerezo (Panama): Mr. Cerezo is an agronomist with the Panama Canal Authority, working in erosion control, reforestation and the environmentally appropriate use of the Panama Canal Watershed. He plans to acquire experience in land use planning for river basins and to learn sustainable community planning techniques for managing natural resources.
- Sihem Ben Abdelmelek (Tunisia): Laboratory Head of the SOTULUB Industrial Zone, Ms. Ben Abdelmelek's concerns are environmental and cultural sustainability, with an emphasis in air and water quality improvement. She plans to devote her time to learning how to manage hazardous materials waste and to evaluate environmental impacts of her institution.
Humphrey Fellows are mid-career professionals from either developing countries or those in political transition. Fellows have demonstrated leadership skills and a record of public service. Following their English program at the Institute, Fellows will enter an intensive, non-degree program at select universities to enhance their professional, communication, and leadership skills.
More information on the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program is available at www.humphreyfellowship.org.
The English Language Institute will host Dr. Moneer Alotaibi, Director of Admissions for the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission, in an upcoming visit to Virginia Tech on March 13th. Dr. Alotaibi’s itinerary will include meetings with Dr. Karen DePauw, Dean of the Graduate School, Kim Beisecker, Director of the Cranwell Center, and Jill Wells, Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions. Dr. Steve Skripak and Glenda Scales will represent the Pamplin College of Business and the School of Engineering, respectively. The Mission hopes to increase the number of Saudi students at Virginia Tech.
