Tag Archives: international

News & Achievements Archive

SJMC news: Week of Nov. 16

Drake PR students win national honor
Drake Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) was named a Star Chapter at the recent PRSA national conference in Atlanta.

The world comes to Meredith Hall
Students in SJMC Professor Grace Provenzano’s Advanced Video Production class recently met with a group of Russian print, broadcast, and online journalists who were visiting Des Moines as part of the Friendship Force. The Russians met the next day with SJMC Dean Kathleen Richardson, retired SJMC media law professor Herb Strentz, and retired Des Moines Register editorial page editor Randy Evans to discuss open government and First Amendment issues. The Russian visitors were impressed by the SJMC students’ engagement and questions, which they said were better than questions they had been asked by professional journalists on their trip!

—Submitted by Kathleen Richardson, Dean, School of Journalism & Mass Communication

Featured Events Archive

Principal Financial Group Center for Global Citizenship events

“How Islamic Investing is Transforming Global Capital Markets”
Tuesday, Nov. 17, 7 p.m.
Sussman Theater, Olmsted Center

Datuk Noripah Kamso is a Global Practitioner at Drake. She was formerly the advisor of CIMB Islamic and the founding chief executive of CIMB-Principal Islamic Asset Management Sdn Bhd. Acknowledging that Islamic asset management is an infant industry, she shares her research via articles in global publications, international Islamic finance and Takaful conferences, and her second book Investing in Islamic Funds: A Practitioner’s Perspective.

“The Long Walk to Inclusivity: Evaluating the Success of Diversity Initiatives”
Wednesday, Nov. 18, 7 p.m.
Meredith Hall, Room 101

In this talk Kesh Govinder will present an overview of the demographic status of the higher education sector in South Africa. He will also present a simple index to monitor the effectiveness of strategies to address the issue of the underrepresented minority—known as transformation—in South Africa. Govinder also will apply this approach to Drake data and comment on its implications for the Strategic Diversity Action plan. Kesh Govinder is a professor of applied mathematics, as well as dean and head of the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). He has published more than 80 articles in internationally recognized journals and presented at and organized local and international conferences.

For Faculty Archive

Nelson Institute Grant proposals due Dec. 1

The Nelson Institute for Diplomacy and International Affairs invites proposals for a two-year grant commencing Jan. 1, 2016, for interdisciplinary faculty-student research projects addressing a global issue of broad public importance. The submission deadline for proposals is Dec. 1.

The purpose of this initiative is to enhance Drake’s involvement in addressing pressing global issues, thereby helping position Drake University as a global knowledge hub in service to local, national, and international communities.

Through a series of focus groups held in the spring of 2015, Vice Provost for International Programs Christa Olson identified two clusters of global pressing issues that Drake, together with its local and international partners, has the expertise and institutional capacity to address with depth and breadth:

  1. Food and water security and environmental sustainability
  2. Global public health and access to quality healthcare

Several other issues were identified in which Drake has depth but not breadth: poverty and access to quality education, bridging cultures, immigration and refugees, and freedom of information and expression.

We especially encourage research proposals that relate to these issue clusters, although proposals on other topics are welcome and no priority will be given based upon topical area. See the full Call for Proposals at Nelson Institute for Diplomacy and International Affairs website. The submission deadline for proposals is Dec. 1. Proposals should be sent to Denise Ganpat (denise.ganpat@drake.edu).

—Submitted by Drake International

Campus Announcements Archive

New interdisciplinary minor

The Department of World Languages and Cultures (WLC) will offer a new plan of study, the Interdisciplinary Minor Language and Culture, beginning in spring 2016. It will be available in each of the languages WLC offers with the exception of American Sign Language. The new interdisciplinary minor will require 18 credit hours and will replace the Certificate of Competence in Language and Culture, which required 14 hours. For more information, please visit the WLC website.

—Submitted by Marc Pinheiro-Cadd, Associate Professor, Director of World Languages and Cultures

For Students Archive

Study in Jerusalem

Study at one of the world’s most prestigious institutions, Hebrew University of Jerusalem. This top-ranked university co-founded by Albert Einstein is located on historic Mount Scopus and has a secure, campus-based environment.  Hebrew U offers a comprehensive curriculum at its Rothberg International School and extensive coursework in English. Notable alumni include Ariel Sharon and Natalie Portman.

Students interested in pursuing studies like business, journalism, peace and conflict studies, Middle Eastern languages, performing arts, and studio and design should stop by the Olmsted Breezeway today, Nov. 9, between 12:30 and 2 p.m. to talk with staff visiting from Israel.

This program is administered through the Institute For Study Abroad at Butler University, which offers extensive scholarship opportunities and gold-standard safety and security measures.

—Submitted by Jen Hogan, Associate Director, International Programs & Services and Education Abroad

Campus Announcements Archive

Nominations open for Global Practitioner in Residence

Nominations are open for the Principal Financial Group Center for Global Citizenship (PFGCGC) Global Practitioner in Residence. These experienced professionals will engage with the campus and community through teaching, public lectures, and joint research projects while drawing upon their professional networks to help our faculty, students, and the institution as a whole develop new and fruitful external collaborations.

Global Practitioner candidates should be nominated by the academic unit to which they will be attached. Nominations must be accompanied by appropriate supporting materials, including a nomination letter that addresses the qualification of the candidate and the expected contributions the candidate would make to the life of the University, biographical information about the candidate, a letter of interest from the candidate, and a letter of support from the dean. Nominations should be directed to the vice provost for international programs, who will review nomination packages in consultation with Global/International Programs Academic Council (GIPAC). Upon the vice provost’s recommendation, the University president will send a letter of invitation to successful candidates. Units considering a nomination are encouraged to consult with PFGCGC Director David Skidmore.

Among the criteria to be considered are:

  • A record of recognized international leadership and distinguished professional accomplishment in any field
  • A documented commitment to international understanding and global citizenship
  • An ability to bring unique perspectives and experiences to bear in relation to relating to Drake faculty, staff, students, and members of the local community
  • A willingness and ability to offer courses that complement the existing curriculum and meet rigorous academic standard

Nominations are due Dec. 1. Additional information is available on the PFGCGC website. 

—Submitted by Drake International

Featured Events Archive

Former U.S. ambassador to give talk

The Principal Financial Group Center for Global Citizenship will host a lecture about voters’ heightened interest in foreign policy during the presidential campaign season.

Joseph Mussomeli, former U.S. ambassador to the Republic of Slovenia, will deliver “Foreign Policy on the Campaign Trail: Tough Talk is Easy (and Essential)” from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, in room 101 of Meredith Hall. The lecture is free and open to the public. Learn more in the Drake Newsroom. 

For Students Archive

Summer travel seminars

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A limited number of spots remain for students to register for Summer 2016 travel seminars. The courses being offered are:

  • China POLS 131: Searching for the Chinese Dream: Perspectives on Social Change in China
  • POLS 134/HIS 146/HON 069: Tri-Continental Trip—History, Politics and Society of Modern Egypt and Middle East Through Films
  • BUS 067/HIST 067/Honr 065: Sustainable Development in Africa

Learn more here.

—Submitted by Drake International

For Students Archive

Seniors: Learn more about Teach in China Program

You are invited to an informational session about Drake’s Teach in China Program. Graduating seniors and alumni can hear from Drake graduates who have participated previously. All sessions are to be held on Drake’s campus, but we welcome remote participants via Skype for non-Drake applicants. Please contact Kirk Martin should you need to attend remotely at 515- 271-3035, kirk.martin@drake.edu, or WeChat: kirkdavidmartin.

Info Sessions
Wednesday, Nov. 18
3:30–4:30 p.m., Drake International offices in The Point
OR
7–8 p.m., Olmsted Center, Pomerantz Conference Room

Tuesday, Dec. 1, 7–8 p.m. Olmsted Center, Pomerantz Conference Room

Thursday, Dec. 3, 3:30–4:30 p.m. Drake International

—Submitted by Kirk Martin, Director of Chinese Cultural Exchange Program

For Students Archive

Consider applying for a Truman Scholarship

If you are a junior at Drake and interested in public service, the Truman Scholarship might be for you! Drake can nominate up to four students for this prestigious scholarship. Applications are due Feb. 1, 2016, but now is the time to start. For more information, contact Professor Eleanor Zeff at eleanor.zeff@drake.edu.

—Submitted by Eleanor Zeff, Associate Professor of Politics and International Relations