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Grant to expand STEM study abroad opportunities
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is using a federal grant to expand education abroad opportunities for students in science, technology, engineering and math fields.
Announced May 30 by the U.S. Department of State and Partners of the Americas, the Capacity Building Grant will enable computer science and computer engineering students to travel and study in the Middle East.
Sonia Feigenbaum, associate vice chancellor for international engagement and global strategies, said the $41,942 award will create “Computer Science Across Cultures: Collaborative Algorithm Problem Solving.” The course, which launches in summer 2018, will be led by computer science and engineering faculty Charles Riedesel and Ryan Patrick.
The course fulfills a degree requirement, an important detail for STEM students, at a global institution. It will use a unique blend of team-based learning and onsite collaboration, encouraging cross-cultural communication and bolstering the university’s institutional partnerships in the region.
“Studies in the field of international education consistently show that students in STEM areas have fewer opportunities to participate in study abroad experiences due to degree requirements,” Feigenbaum said. “Therefore, with this grant, the university will create a sustainable program focused on a segment of students who generally do not study abroad.”
Rebecca Baskerville, director of education abroad, will work with faculty to ensure that the program is representative of current trends in the field. Information about the course will be available through the Education Abroad office.
The Capacity Building Grant program is open to undergraduate students. The Nebraska grant is part of the second round of awards issued by the program. To date, the program has awarded more than $1.2 million to 29 universities in the United States.
Along with diversifying and expanding study abroad opportunities, the grant program helps establish and maintain international partnerships between higher education institutions.
“Receiving this award and continually expanding our education abroad programs demonstrates that the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is committed to global engagement and offering diverse opportunities to our students,” Feigenbaum said.
For more information on education abroad opportunities, click here.
