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1. New Exchange Program Spans Cultural Divide |
by John Gagnon, promotional writer
Michigan Tech has begun a collaboration with another US college and two universities in Brazil to exchange students, enhance engineering education, bridge cultures and highlight global sustainable energy.
The goal, says Aurenice Oliveira, principal investigator and project director at Michigan Tech, is to give students from the US and Brazil “a global perspective—exposure to a different country, a different culture, a different university and a different language”—all within the same context: engineering.
“One important aspect of the project is to give students a more-broad view of the world and help them deal with diversity,” she says.
In today’s global society, she notes, communication is fast, travel is easy, and the world is small.
“So, as a professional, you will have to deal with people from all over the world. Higher education should start that cultural exchange among students.”
Michigan Tech and North Dakota State University (NDSU) have each received $100,000 from the US Department of Education for this national program in international relations.
They will partner with the Universidade Federal do Pará, the largest and most influential institution in Brazil’s Amazon region, and the Universidade Estadual de Campinas, a leading research university. The two schools have received the same amount of funding from Brazil’s Ministry of Education.
The first year of the four-year program, just begun, will be devoted to planning. In fall 2008, student exchanges will commence, first with four Brazilian students coming to Tech and four others to NDSU.
Eventually, each of the four institutions will send at least nine students abroad for a semester of study. They will receive language training, travel expenses and a stipend. The total cost of the exchange will not exceed what students pay for study at their home college. The language component will be intensive. No classes in Brazil will be in English; no classes at Tech will be in Portuguese.
As the program grows, students will earn a double diploma and a certificate in international engineering
“The idea,” Oliveira, says, “is to give students the opportunity to see how things are done in other places”—to impart “a broad view of engineering education and work toward sustainable sources of energy.” She says Brazil has strong engineering programs and is a global leader in biodiesel initiatives.
Oliveira says that there is a quite practical aspect to this program: A lot of American companies have operations in Brazil, with engineers constantly traveling back and forth. The exchange program will ideally prepare these professionals, she says.
An assistant professor of electrical engineering technology in the School of Technology, Oliveira is enthused about the possibilities. “This is a small program, but it has high potential for leading to a sustainable exchange between the two countries that can involve a significantly larger number of students,” she says.
A native of Brazil, Oliveira has been in the US for nine years: five at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, where she earned her PhD, two at NDSU and Minnesota State University, and one at Tech.
Her bicultural perspective will contribute to this program. “Americans,” she says, “are well-organized, far-sighted, serious and respect others. Brazilians have an incredible capability for creativity, embrace all cultures and are open-minded.”
In establishing the program, she works with two co-principal investigators: Nasser Alaraje, assistant professor in electrical engineering technology, and Piyush Misha, assistant professor in electrical and computer engineering,.
Stateside, the program is called “the US-Brazil Engineering Education Consortium on Renewable Energy” and is under the auspices of the US Department of Education’s Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education. |
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2. Candidates for Dean of Sciences and Arts Coming to Campus |
The College of Sciences and Arts Dean Search Committee has identified four semifinalists.
Details on each candidate can be found at http://www.csa.mtu.edu/CSA_Dean_Search/ . The semifinalists and the dates of their campus interviews follow:
Bruce Seely
Chair, Department of Social Sciences
Michigan Technological University
Jan. 21-22
Kenneth Paap
Associate Vice President, Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
San Francisco State University
Jan. 28-29
Marilyn Levine
Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
Eastern Oregon University
Jan. 31-Feb. 1
James Moy
Dean and Chair Professor
School of Creative Media
City University of Hong Kong
Feb. 4-5
Each candidate will present an open forum (3-4:30 p.m. on the first day of the visit), and college faculty are invited to a reception for the candidate (4-6 p.m. on the second day). The open forums will be video-recorded for viewing later.
Members of the University community are invited to provide feedback to the search committee by filling out the (anonymous) comment form on the website or by contacting one of the search committee members, whose names are available on the website.
You can learn more about the candidates by
* attending the open forum sessions
* watching streaming video of the open forums on the website if
you are unable to attend
* reviewing information about the candidates on the website
Any questions about the search can be directed to Mark Gockenbach, CSA Dean Search Committee chair, at msgocken@mtu.edu .
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3. Naber Receives SAE Teetor Award |
Jeffrey Naber, associate professor of mechanical engineering–engineering mechanics, has been selected by the Society of Automotive Engineers to receive a 2008 Ralph R. Teetor Educational Award.
This award, established in 1953, recognizes outstanding engineering educators and offers them the opportunity to meet and exchange views with practicing engineers in their fields. The award honors the late Ralph R. Teetor, 1936 SAE International president, who believed that engineering educators are the most effective link between engineering students and their future careers.
The award is funded by the SAE Foundation. In addition to supporting the awards, recognition and scholarship programs of SAE International, the SAE Foundation develops and funds programs and incentives that foster student interest in engineering, scientific and technical education.
Naber has been working in the field of powertrain and internal combustion engines since 1992. Since joining Michigan Tech in 2004 he has taught in the area of energy-thermo-fluid sciences including undergraduate and graduate courses in internal combustion engines. His research interests include combustion, emissions and aftertreatment.
Naber co-directs the Advanced Power Systems Research Center and conducts education and research programs focused on the application of alternative fuels and diesel exhaust aftertreatment in partnerships with industry, the Department of Energy national laboratories and the National Science Foundation. Also at the University he leads the vehicle and engines initiative in the Wood-to-Wheels Graduate Enterprise within the Sustainable Futures Institute.
Naber has authored and coauthored 16 SAE papers and received the 1988 SAE Horning Award. He holds 13 US patents in the areas of combustion detection and control, OBD and exhaust sensing.
Naber will receive the award at the 2008 SAE World Congress and Exhibition, to be held in April in Detroit. |
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4. Marketing and Communications Closed Till 3:30 Today |
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Marketing and Communications will be closed today, Tuesday, Jan. 8, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for a staff retreat. |
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5. There's Still Time: Learn to Ski for Free |
Mont Ripley is offering free ski and snowboard lessons to Michigan Tech employees and spouses Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 12-13.
New skiers and those who'd like to polish up their rusty techniques are welcome.
In addition to the free lessons, the package includes free equipment rental and a daily pass.
Enrollment is limited to 50, so call 487-2340 for more information or to register. |
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6. Sports in Brief |
by Wes Frahm, director, athletic marketing and communications
What’s Happening This Week
Wednesday, Jan. 9
Huskies Drive Time, 7:30-8 a.m. on WKMJ Mix 93.5 FM
Thursday, Jan. 10
Women’s Basketball at Northwood, 6 p.m. (Live Radio, WKMJ Mix 93.5 FM)
Men’s Basketball at Northwood, 8 p.m. (Live Radio, WKMJ Mix 93.5 FM)
Friday, Jan. 11
#20 Hockey at #8 North Dakota, 8:37 p.m. (Live Radio, WKMJ Mix 93.5 FM)
Saturday, Jan. 12
Women’s Basketball at Saginaw Valley State, 1 p.m. (Live Radio, WKMJ Mix 93.5 FM)
Men’s Basketball at Saginaw Valley State, 3 p.m. (Live Radio, WKMJ Mix 93.5 FM)
#20 Hockey at #8 North Dakota, 8:07 p.m. (Live Radio, WKMJ Mix 93.5 FM)
All times Eastern
Last Week’s Results
Hockey (9-9-2, 5-6-1 WCHA)
1/4—Michigan Tech 3, at Mercyhurst 2
1/5—Michigan Tech 5, at Mercyhurst 1
Women’s Basketball (11-3, 4-1 GLIAC)
1/2—at Michigan Tech 84, Northland 29
1/5—at Michigan Tech 72, Grand Valley State 48
Men’s Basketball (6-7, 1-4 GLIAC)
1/5—#2 Grand Valley State 71, Michigan Tech 54
Nordic Skiing
1/1-6—Michigan Tech hosted U.S. Senior Nationals (no team scores kept)
Top News of the Week
HOCKEY SWEEPS MERCYHURST
The hockey team picked up its second sweep of the season on the road against Mercyhurst. The Huskies defeated the Lakers 3-2 on Friday and followed up with a 5-1 win on Saturday. Senior Peter Rouleau was the team's offensive spark as he exploded for two goals and two assists. Tech had 12 different players record a point in the series. Junior Rob Nolan turned in another spectacular weekend in goal as he made 42 saves and gave up just three goals. The team returns to WCHA play this weekend when it travels to face North Dakota.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL CONTINUES TO ROLL
The women’s basketball team continued its string of success with two home wins last week—an 84-29 victory over Northland (Jan. 2) and a 72-48 triumph over Grand Valley State (Jan. 5). Tech is now 11-3 overall, 4-1 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, and 6-0 at home.
NORDIC SKIING WRAPS UP U.S. NATIONALS
The Michigan Tech Nordic Training Center hosted the US Senior Nationals this past week. The event featured skiers from both the US and other countries. Sophomore Jesse Lang was the top finisher for the Huskies as he finished 36th in both the 10-kilometer freestyle and the 15-kilometer classical. Sophomore Jenna Klein was the top finisher on the women's side as she finished 49th in the 10-kilometer classical and 78th in the five-kilometer freestyle. |
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