International Affairs News

Say Yes to Global Opportunities Fair 2008

The Global Opportunities Fair offered hundreds of student’s information and opportunities to study abroad, and participate in global initiatives and events here at USF. Representatives from the post office came to the fair allowing students and faculty to apply for their passports. Many student organizations were in attendance including the African Student Association, the Graduate Student and Professional Council, and Engineers without Borders. Five lucky students won a USF Program Voucher worth $300 off the price of a USF Study Abroad Program.

Visit our photo gallery to see all of the images from the fair.

World Refugee Day 2008

International Affairs, the African Student Association, STAND, and the Tampa Bay Community recognize World Refugee Day 2008, “African Refugees: The Untold Story.” News Release >> Photo Gallery > >

USF Health International Foundation

The USF Health International Foundation is the only health sciences academic center with a presence on the City of Knowledge campus in Panama City, Panama. Read more about the new initiative. USF Health

USF Gilman Scholar

USF is proud to announce Rachael Tackett has received a Gilman Scholarship. She is one of 700 undergraduate students from over 320 colleges and universities across the U.S. who was awarded the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to participate in study abroad programs worldwide. She is going to spend one year at the University Ghana. Read More>>

Education Abroad Trip: Panama

Dean María Crummett led a group of USF business students to Panama June 6th-26th. The program focused on Panama’s history and trade relations between Panama and the U.S. including the U.S.- Panama Trade Promotion Agreement. Students visited the American Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. Commercial Service, the Rotary Club, the Panama Canal Authority, and Tampa businesses operating in Panama.

Read the student’s blog >> Blog

World Refugee Day 2008

International Affairs, the African Student Association, STAND, and the Tampa Bay Community sponsored World Refugee Day 2008, “African Refugees: The Untold Story”. African refugees told of their experiences coming to the United States, followed by a panel of professionals who discussed their work with refugees. On December 4th, 2000, the General Assembly of the United Nations unanimously adopted a resolution naming June 20th as World Refugee Day. News Release >> Photo Gallery > >

USF Health Panama

The USF Health International Foundation is the only health sciences academic center with a presence on the City of Knowledge campus in Panama City, Panama. Read more about the new initiative. USF Health

Message to the Chinese Students and Scholars

The Confucius Institute at the University of South Florida expresses our deepest sympathy for the victims and their families of the May 12th earthquake in Sichuan Province, China. Message to the Chinese Student and Scholar Population from International Affairs

Cesar Guerrero Receives Provost Award

Cesar Guerrero, a Fulbright student from Colombia pursuing his doctorate in the College of Engineering, has received the USF 2007-08 Provost Award for Outstanding Teaching by a Graduate Student. The Provost Award is a prestigious award and an extraordinary recognition of Cesar's contributions to undergraduate teaching at USF. Congratulations Cesar!

2007-2008 Annual Report

International Affairs is pleased to release our 2007-2008 Annual Report. The annual report outlines the progress made over the past academic year in accomplishing our goals, examples of our world-class services, as well as our contributions to USF's Strategic Plan. Click here to view the 2007-2008 International Affairs Annual Report.

USF School of Social Work - Haitian Scholars

The USF School of Social Work and the Jim Walter Partnership Center invited eighteen scholars from Haiti to a six-month Youth Strengthening Organization course offered in the Fall of 2007 at USF. Scholars completed an array of classes in leadership, SWOT analysis, communication, proposal writing, fundraising principles and practices, non-profit accounting and financial management, as well as marketing and public relations. Participants returned to Haiti in December, where they began working immediately on the community action plans they developed during their stay in the US.

International Week April 14-18, 2008

International Affairs, the Equal Opportunity Affairs and Diversity Office, and the Office of Multicultural Affairs sponsored a week of International activites. Jean-Marc Hachey, author of "The Big Guide to Living and Working Overseas" held three seminars for anyone interested in going abroad to study, volunteer, intern, teach, travel or work! View Calendar

Watch a video highlighting International Week 2008. Video>>

USF Confucius Institute Opening Ceremony
March 2, 2008

The USF Confucius Institute Opening Ceremony was held Sunday, March 2 2008. International Affairs hosted a delegation from Nankai University, the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Houston, and an official from the Chinese Embassy in Washington D.C. Over 200 students, faculty, staff and members of the Tampa community came to the opening dinner. USF is the first university in Florida and the first major public research university in the Southeastern United States to establish a Confucius Institute. Learn More>> Photo Gallery>>

Dr. Jorge Nef awarded the title University Professor Emeritus
February, 2008

Dr. Jorge Nef, Director of the Institute for the Study of Latin America and the Caribbean, has been awarded the title University Professor Emeritus from the University of Guelph in Canada. The nomination was made in recognition of Dr. Nef’s outstanding contributions to teaching and research in the area of Rural Extension Studies/Capacity Development and Extension.

Dr. Juan Vázquez receives Global Leadership Award
December 15, 2007

The University of South Florida presented the Global Leadership Award to Dr. Juan Vázquez, Rector of Oviedo University in Spain during the Fall Commencement Ceremony. The President’s Global Leadership Award was established during the university’s 50th anniversary year to recognize individuals who have achieved exemplary accomplish-ments in international leadership or global relations. Dr. Vázquez is the second recipient of the award.

Dean Crummett meets U.S. Ambassador to South Africa
October 9, 2007

As part of a U.S. Department of Education Business and International Education Program grant, Dr. María Crummett, Dean of International Affairs, traveled to South Africa in early July 2007. She met with representatives of the Commercial Service Offices of the U.S. Department of Commerce in Cape Town and Johannesburg where two USF students from the College of Business interned this past summer. During her time in Johannesburg, Dr. Crummett had the opportunity to meet with the U.S. Ambassador to South Africa, Eric M. Bost. Ambassador Bost is an alumnus from the USF College of Education. He will visit USF October 9, 2007 to meet with USF faculty, students and staff as well as community leaders.

International Student Orientation
August 22, 2007

International Affairs welcomed over 250 new students at the International Orientation on Aug 22. Local ethnic restaurants contributed lunch for the event. A welcome reception was held on Friday at the Alumni Center, Traditions Hall for new students and friends. View photos from each event: Orientation & Reception.

Dr. Ravi Sankar travels to Korea to create new opportunities
August 2007

Dr. Ravi Sankar, Professor of Electrical Engineering recently traveled to South Korea and Kunsan National University. There he met with several high ranking officials to discuss collaboration opportunities between Kunsan and USF. Dr. Sanker also attended the 8th International Symposium on Advanced Intelligent Systems (ISIS 2007), in Sokcho, South Korea.

International Affairs welcomed Dr. Zachi Milgrom
July 9-11th, 2007

International Affairs welcomed Dr. Zachi Milgrom, VP and Dean of Academic Affairs of Hadassah Academic College in Jerusalem, July 9-11th. USF and Hadassah College have close ties as President Genshaft received the, “The Captain of Education Award - A Visionary Who Dreams Big”, from Hadassah College in April of this year. Dr. Milgrom visited all four USF campuses and is very excited about the potential collaboration between both institutions. He is pictured here with the USF St. Petersburg Regional Chancellor, Karen White.

International Affairs raises awareness about Sudanese Refugees
June 22, 2007

Two USF students, Mogtaba Maki (on right) and Nada Abdelrahman (on left), from Sudan spoke and answered questions during the summer staff meeting after a viewing of the Emmy-nominated documentary Lost Boys of Sudan. The event took place during the week of the United Nation's World Refugee Day. WMNF interviewed Mogtaba on World Refugee Day about "his experiences during the civil war in Sudan, in a refugee camp in Egypt, and his new life in the United States." Click on the following links to listen to the WMNF two-part interview part 1 , part 2 .

USF Students Recently Awarded Competitive Scholarships Abroad
May 10, 2007

International Affairs is proud to announce that four USF students were recently awarded competitive scholarships abroad. Chad Cullen, (far left) was awarded a National Security Education Program Boren Scholarship. He will participate in an intensive Thai course at the Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok. Elizabeth Cooper, (center) along with Kendrick Hornack (far right)were both awarded Fulbright Research Scholarships. Cooper will be conducting her research in Sarawak state, non-peninsular Malaysia and Hornack will be researching the impact of the Euro on the German Economy. Margeaux Chavez (not shown), was awarded a Fulbright Teaching Scholarship to study in Germany. To learn more about these students please visit USF News. Visit NSEP Boren Scholarships and IIE Fulbright to learn more about these scholarship opportunities.

OAS Secretary General receives Honorary Doctorate
5/5/2007

The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), José Miguel Insulza, received an Honorary Doctor of Law degree from USF during its May 5th commencement ceremonies. Accepting his degree, Secretary General Insulza stressed the importance of strengthened relations among the nations of the Western Hemisphere, stating that “our cultures, economies and ways of life become more related as the ever-growing process of trade, communications and migration push us closer together.” Elected to his position in 2005, the Chilean statesman is an attorney with a law degree from the University of Chile.

Dr. María Crummett, Dean of International Affairs, hosted a reception for the Secretary General the prior evening at the USF Contemporary Art Museum. Following welcome messages from Dean Crummett and Dr. Jorge Nef, USF’s Director of the Institute of Latin America and the Caribbean, the Secretary General was presented with a crystal globe commemorating his honorary doctorate. The event was attended by USF faculty, students, and Tampa Bay community members, as well as the Consuls General of Panama and Paraguay. View reception photo slideshow>>.

During his visit, Secretary General Insulza was interviewed by Centro Mi Diario, the Spanish language publication of the Tampa Tribune. In addition to discussing his recognition by USF, Secretary General Insulza also addressed his work with the OAS and the affairs of the region. View Centro article from May 14, 2007>>

College of Business Program Expands Globally
4/2007

In conjunction with Broward Community College and the Center for American Education, the College will offer a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in Singapore.  The degree will have concentrations in International Business and Marketing, and will allow students in Singapore to earn an American degree without leaving the region. Read College of Business Article>>

Sudanese refugee Abraham Awolich speaks to the USF community
4/5/2007

International Affairs, along with the USF College of Public Health, Center for Civic Engagement & Volunteerism, student group STAND, and the Florida Center for Survivors of Torture, organized a screening of the Emmy-nominated documentary Lost Boys of Sudan on April 5, 2007. A group of nearly 400 students, faculty, and community members gathered in the College of Public Health Auditorium to view the film and to hear the experiences of Sudanese refugee Abraham Awolich. Read more about the film and Abraham’s story in The Oracle articles>> 1, 2.

International Affairs was honored to welcome Carol Bellamy to USF
4/4/2007

Former Director of U.S. Peace Corps and UNICEF, Ms. Bellamy is President and CEO of World Learning, a global organization that promotes experiential education and community-driven development programs. After visiting International Affairs to discuss Peace Corps initiatives, study abroad programs, and USF’s growing international student population, Ms. Bellamy spoke to faculty, students, and community members regarding her international experiences. The lecture, co-sponsored by International Affairs and the Dr. Kiran C. Patel Center for Global Solutions, was followed by a question and answer session and welcome reception. To read more about Ms. Bellamy’s lecture visit The Oracle.

Nigerian artist and designer Nike Davies Okundaye visits International Affairs
3/28/2007

Nike was brought up amidst the traditional weaving and dying practiced in her native village of Ogidi in Western Nigeria, she is known for her colorful batik and paintings. Visit www.nikeart.com/ to learn more about Nike's artwork. View photo album of Nike's visit to International Affairs >>

2007 Tampa Bay Chinese New Year Celebration
2/17/2007

Dean María Crummett and Marcia Taylor, Interim Director of International Student and Scholar Services attended the 2007 Tampa Bay Chinese New Year Celebration on Saturday, February 17, 2007 as guests of honor representing USF.  This annual celebration is organized by the Suncoast Association of Chinese Americans (SACA), the Chinese American Association of Tampa Bay (CAAT) and the Friendship Association of Chinese Students and Scholar of USF(FACSS).

ISLAC Acting Director, Noel Smith, Discusses Cuba’s Future
1/26/2007

Noel Smith, Acting Director of USF’s Institute for the Study of Latin America and the Caribbean (ISLAC), was a guest panelist on the January 26, 2007 broadcast of WUSF’s Florida Matters.  The program, entitled “The Future of Cuba”, discussed the speculation surrounding the health of Fidel Castro, the implications of a permanent change in leadership, and how future changes might affect Florida. Smith also serves as Curator of Education/Latin American and Caribbean Art at USF’s Contemporary Art Museum. In that capacity, she has been traveling to Cuba and recruiting artists since 1999. Listen Now>>

Dr. Renu Khator, Provost and Senior Vice President, visits India
1/23/2007 & 1/24/2007

Provost Khator will be giving a presentation about USF to prospective students in Ahmedabad, Gujarat and New Delhi.

International Affairs welcomes Betty Castor, the new Executive Director of the Dr. Kiran C. Patel Center for Global Solutions
1/18/2007

Dean Crummett and the International Affairs staff welcomed former USF President, Betty Castor on January 18. To learn more about her new role at USF. View full article>>

International Students Receive Outstanding Dissertation Awards
1/16/2007

Three international students were among those honored on January 16, 2007 for outstanding doctoral dissertations and master’s theses. Dr. Brent Weisman, associate dean of the USF Graduate School, commended the award recipients, stating, “These works of outstanding graduate scholarship demonstrate USF’s growing positive impact on a wide range of disciplines on a national and international scale.” The following international students were presented with 2007 Outstanding Dissertation Awards: Ismail Guvenc (Turkey, Electrical Engineering/College of Engineering) – “Towards Practical Design of Impulse Radio Ultrawideband Systems: Parameter Estimation and Adaptation, Interference Mitigation, and Performance Analysis” Jung Kwak (South Korea, Aging Studies/College of Arts and Sciences) – “Predictors and Outcomes of Hospice Use among Medicare and Medicaid Dual-Eligible Nursing Home Residents in Florida: A Comparison of Non-Hispanic Blacks and Non-Hispanic Whites” Christopher Mann (United Kingdom, Applied Physics/College of Arts and Sciences) – “Quantitative Biological Microscopy by Digital Holography”. View full article>>