Vallary Singh presents to a group of International and domestic students and scholars at the inaugural International Scholar Fair.  

Spotlight on scholars

Inaugural International Scholar Fair highlights groundbreaking research

TEXT SIZE

12:34 p.m., June 26, 2015--In May, University of Delaware scholars from around the world came together for the first time to showcase their innovative research for more than 100 members of the campus community.

A joint venture sponsored by the University’s International Caucus and Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS), the event featured researchers from such campus units as the Disaster Research Center (DRC), the Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness (IRE), biomechanics and movement science, civil and geotechnical engineering, and computer and information sciences.

Global Stories

Fulbright awards

Three University of Delaware students and an alumna have received word this spring that they will travel abroad as part of the newest class of Fulbright Student Program award winners.

Peace Corps plans

Two University of Delaware students, John McCarron and Bridgette Spritz, have been selected as Peace Corps volunteers and will serve in Ghana and Rwanda.

OISS and the International Caucus support over 250 international visiting scholars, H1-B employees, and other international faculty and staff, all hosted by various campus and community partners.

“We devote a great deal of time working with international students,” said Frances O’Brien, assistant director of OISS and chair of the International Caucus. “We wanted to spotlight our international scholars who are traditionally under-represented but doing brilliant work around campus.” 

For the scholars, the fair provided an opportunity to reach across disciplinary borders to gain new perspectives on their work.

“Through the event, I was able to draw some insights from people I would otherwise not have pondered because of the natural bias I have towards my discipline,” noted Bianca Villar, a doctoral candidate at La-Salle-Ramon Lulle University in Barcelona and a visiting scholar at UD’s Disaster Research Center.  

Others saw the event as a chance to network and share best practices on research presentations.

Zakariya Nawasreh, a researcher in the Biomechanics and Movement Science Program, took advantage of the fair as a way to display some of the research he has completed during his four years at UD.  After completing his dissertation this year, Nawasreh will return to the Jordanian University of Science and Technology (JUST) to take on an assistant professor position in the physical therapy program.

According to Nawasreh, the University of Delaware has given him “the opportunity to learn under experts, be exposed to different projects, studies, and perspectives, and to build [his] connections with scholars and scientists.” He said he looks forward to utilizing the multitude of experience and knowledge gained during his time at UD in his new role as professor.

Hosted during the OISS weekly International Coffee Hour, the fair drew domestic and international members of the University population alike.

Chuan Cai, a scholar studying student enrollment projection, said she particularly enjoyed the chance to share her work with this diverse population in a casual and relaxed atmosphere.

“People were chatting and discussing. I saw a lot of smiles,” she said, adding that it was a great introduction to research for many undergraduate students.

Also in attendance were John Sawyer, associate provost for institutional research and effectiveness, and Ann Ardis, deputy dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

After a successful inaugural iteration, the International Caucus and OISS will continue to host the International Scholar Fair in the future. For more information, contact Frances O’Brien at frances@udel.edu.

About the International Caucus

The International Caucus is the University of Delaware’s representative body for international scholars, employees and their families. Operated under the auspices of the University’s Office for Equity and Inclusion, the caucus serves to foster awareness for the interests of the international employee community and commits itself to creating opportunities for international faculty and staff to network locally, develop professionally and contribute to a globally oriented campus community.

Caucus membership is open to all UD faculty and staff, primarily those who are non-resident aliens, permanent residents of the United States and citizens with international background. All employees and students who are interested in joining the group are welcome regardless of their background. Those who are interested in becoming a member should fill out the membership form here.

About the Office for International Students and Scholars

The Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS) is the designated office on campus that provides support services to the more than 4,000 students, scholars and employees who make up UD's international community.

OISS provides immigration advising and other information, programming and advisement aimed at supporting the international community through the challenges of living, studying and working in a different culture, as well as celebrating the presence of international students and scholars on campus and their important contributions to the University.

In addition to cross-cultural programs, OISS offers information sessions on employment and immigration training for students and scholars, and training for UD departments. 

Those with interest can stay current with OISS programs and services online, via Facebook and Twitter, or by subscribing to the OISS weekly e-newsletter.

Article by Nikki Laws

News Media Contact

University of Delaware
Communications and Public Affairs
302-831-NEWS
publicaffairs@udel.edu

UDaily is produced by
Communications and Public Affairs

The Academy Building
105 East Main Street
University of Delaware
Newark, DE 19716 | USA
Phone: (302) 831-2792
email: publicaffairs@udel.edu
www.udel.edu/cpa