Sept. 17, 2004
Second Annual Workshop on International Development Held at UW-RF
By Kari Johnson
UW-RF News Bureau
Establishment of an international studies major by next fall and development
of a campus-wide international center are primary goals of the UWRF Association
for International Development (RF-AID), which held its second annual Workshop
on International Development Sept. 10-11. Workshop participants emphasized the
need for action concerning international development at the college level.
Established in 2002, RF-AID includes about 30 current and emeriti UW-River
Falls faculty, staff, and administrators from four colleges. Currently the University
has an international studies minor, and the expansion to an interdisciplinary
major and the creation of an international development center would enhance
communication between the four colleges at UWRF and strengthen the objectives
of the association, say RF-AID members.
The association's mission is to enhance curriculum offerings, to develop and
support research and other projects, to acquire grant money, to serve students,
and to participate in consulting opportunities. Additionally, it hopes to better
serve and improve the circumstances of students and people in less developed
countries such as Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe.
UW-River Falls continues to expand its international opportunities, from three-week
study tours to semester abroad programs as well as international faculty and
student exchanges. These international experiences in college offer students
exposure to the world at an affordable price, said Brent Greene, director of
international programs.
By having faculty with international experience, students at UW-River Falls
benefit inside and outside the classroom, says Ginny Coombs, vice chancellor
and provost. The benefit students see is the increased enthusiasm an instructor
brings to class after studying or working abroad.
Additionally, instructors serve as role models and informants, broadening the
horizons of their students by encouraging study abroad opportunities. Through
international experiences, instructors also continue to improve and develop
curriculum and engage in grant writing to obtain better course materials, says
Coombs.
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