On Thursday, April 9th Center for Global Learning and Engagement held a College Symposium as part of the Leaders of the World Conference.  Each college at UCA was represented at the symposium as well as departments including Student Government Association, Honor’s College, Athletics, and the Intensive English Program.  Each International Student Organization was invited to showcase their organization and discuss their presence at UCA.  Japanese Club, Korean Club, Kazakh Club, African Student Association, UCA Ivorian Association, Chinese Students and Scholars, and the Indian Student Association were all represented.  While offering the Leaders of the World Conference Attendees a snapshot of UCA and its offerings at the symposium, our International Student Organization leaders had the opportunity to meet and share with conference attendees from over 10 nations.

UCA Center for Global Learning and Engagement partnered with the UCA Ivorian Association for our March volunteer activity.  Fifteen UCA Ivorian students went to local organization and dyed Easter eggs with children.  The students also put on an Easter Egg hunt for the children.  The volunteer activity was part of our monthly Bears Without Borders initiative allowing international students at UCA to give back to the Conway community.  

Saturday, February 7th, 22 international students from countries including Japan, China, Niger, and Ivory Coast volunteered at Adopt A Block.  Adopt A Block is a community initiative started by the Arkansas Dream Center to visit the same neighborhood in Conway once a month for the purpose of building relationships.  The students spent the afternoon playing games, doing crafts, and coloring with children at the Faulkner County Library – the location for this week’s Adopt A Block.  The international students that went were excited to give back to the Conway community that has welcomed and embraced them during their time at UCA!  This volunteer activity was part of the monthly volunteer program that Center for Global Learning and Engagement promotes – Bears Without Borders.

Sinaly Karamoko coloring with one of the children that attended Adopt a Block

International Education Week was a great success this year, with daily events and cultural activities, this was our biggest International Education Week. The following is a summary of just a few of the exciting activities held on campus.  For more details and photos, please click here.

World Fest

With over 70 international students representing over 25 different countries, UCA’s World Fest was a fantastic success. Cultures from around the globe as well as UCA departments and study abroad presented at over 50 tables with food samples, traditional clothing, games, music, and more. The highlight of the event was an ethic clothing and dance show, held at the UCA amphitheater.

World Cup Soccer Tournament

The tournament with eight teams made up of international and domestic students played a single elimination tournament with one of the teams representing the nations of Africa winning the championship.

“Taste of Africa”

The newly formed UCA African Student Association supported the “Taste of Africa” event with presentations, a fashion show, a dance show, and African food. Held in the McCastlain Ballroom, the event was filled with students, faculty, staff, and families.

Diwali Festival

Organized on the UCA campus and hosted by the Indian community in Conway and Little Rock was attended by nearly 200 people. The program featured performances from UCA students and included songs, cultural and Bollywood dances, a traditional fashion show and other varied performances.  The event ended with delicious Indian cuisine and Dandiya.

Thanksgiving Potluck

Center for Global Learning and Engagement invited the International Friendship Outreach (IFO) community and all international students to share in a traditional Thanksgiving meal. More than 20 American host families brought traditional American dishes to share with the international students and community at UCA.

During the week of November 1st, two representatives from the University of Central Arkansas Center for Global Learning and Engagement presented at the National Association of Foreign Student Advisors (NAFSA) regional conference in Fort Worth.

International Student Services Coordinator, Casey Jackson-Aceituno participated in the Poster Fair at the NAFSA Region III Conference on Thursday, November 4th.  Titled University of Central Arkansas Pre-Arrival: From Admit to Orientation, Casey’s poster exhibited various strategies that Center for Global Learning and Engagement is utilizing to increase the percentage of admitted students that enroll at UCA.  The strategies include interactive emails, social media communication, and coordinated arrival.

International Student and Scholar Services Project Manager, Ron Hudson co-presented in a presentation entitled, “Circle Your Wagons,” he collaborated with Julia Bay (University of Central Oklahoma) and Jose Martinez and Sheena Connell (University of the Incarnate Word) to cover important contacts and resources available to international student advisors that influence daily policy and practice. This interactive session identified how to access regulatory information from the agencies within the Departments of State and Homeland Security.

UCA Associate Provost for Enrollment and Globalization, Jane Ann Williams signing the MOU

During their recent visit to Necochea, Argentina, officials from the University of Central Arkansas signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Chamber of Professionals of Puerto Quequén. The event was detailed in an article in the Ecos Diarios newspaper and can be seen here.

An English translation of the article follows:

The Chamber of Professionals of Puerto Quequen Signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Central Arkansas

The Chamber of Professionals of Puerto Quequén, an entity formed by over 30 partners representing different activities carried out in Necochea, signed a memorandum of understanding with the authorities of the University of Central Arkansas, of the United States. The signing took place during the visit that authorities from the University made to our city and that was coordinated by Rotary Club of Necochea.

The agreement aims to achieve continuous cooperation on various issues ranging from the academic, cultural and technological. This agreement was signed by the president of the local Chamber, Bartholome Zubillaga, and Jane Ann Williams, representative of the President of the University.

The agreement takes dimensions when one considers that the said educational institution located in Conway is a city with less population than Necochea, but has three top-level educational institutions,  and it is known as the “city of universities.” Forty percent of the population of Conway holds a University degree, and Conway has become one of the top 25 fastest growing cities in the United States.

Entrepreneurs Exchange

Similarly, the Conway Chamber of Commerce has been identified as the best of its country, competing with similar institutions in bigger cities, such as New York, Washington, Dallas and Chicago.

The Conway Chamber has invited, through a letter sent by its authorities, to explore the exchange of business leaders, and reciprocal internships for employees at local companies that want to gain experience and improve their English.

Members of the Chamber of Puerto Quequén have recognized this agreement as extremely positive and the first step towards a continuous relationship, between the University of Central Arkansas, the community of Conway, thus opening a wide range of possibilities.

The University of Central Arkansas Center for Global Learning and Engagement is pleased to announce that 38 students from more than ten countries were awarded scholarships this semester.

For more information regarding scholarships for international students at UCA, please visit uca.edu/global/scholarships.

The recipients are as follows:

Rwandan Presidential Scholarship: Edouard Niyonsaba, Gerard Munyazikwiye, Jean Paul Ngabonziza, Enock Rwamuza, Clement Mugenzi, Jules Maurice Kwizera, Paul Niyonkuru

International Student Mobility Scholarship: Lucia Benova, Aditya Dendukuri, Anastasiya Klimiankova, Oscar Nieves Santana, Nicolette Russell, Rashan Stubbs, Alejandra Cuellar Gonzalez, Warrick Wang

Global Citizen Scholarship: Hiuman Poon, Stephanie Gonzalez, Anastassiya Khvan, Yao Li, Sergio Perez Bakovic, Denise Mallmann

Distinguished International Student Scholarship: Ha Ram Kim

Democratic Republic of the Congo Scholarship: Isimbi Ibale, Tony Kanyinda, Ruth Noella Lukuka, Jonathan Onyumbe Onosumba, Michee Ilunga, Angie Bali, Anne-Marie Lupanda Feza, Marise Nyango Gbia Mbuy, Moise Mokoy, Alexis Glody Modua Petelo, Martha Kabengele, Josue Mpia, Jonathan Kabulo, Yannick Nzinga Nzau

Judge Frieler with Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe and Delegation from UCA

Argentine Federal Judge Dr. Eduardo Freiler visited the campus of the University of Central Arkansas from September 24^th to 28^th to present a lecture entitled “The Global Citizen and the Rule of Law: A Latin American Perspective.” In addition, Dr. Frieler also spoke with university officials about upcoming events for the UCA “Leaders of the World” conference and lecture series including “Environment- Coastal Cities” to be held in Necochea, Argentina to be lead by UCA Science faulty this November and “Justice and Civil Society” attended by Argentine Federal Judiciary and Attorney General at UCA later this month.

During his visit, hosted by UCA Center for Global Learning and Engagement, Dr. Freiler also met with Governor Mike Beebe, was given a guided tour of the Arkansas State Capitol by Judge Rhonda Wood, and attended a lecture and reception for East China Normal University Chancellor Tong as a part of the UCA Confucius Institute Anniversary Celebration.

Judge Rhonda Wood and Judge Freiler

In addition to his work prosecuting human rights violations and political corruption, as a member of the Human Rights Commission of Public Prosecutors, Dr. Freiler has developed an extensive educational career being a faculty member and lecturing in multiple Law Schools in the Americas and Europe such as the University of Buenos Aires, University of Seville, and the Autonomous University of Tlaxcala. Currently he serves as a Federal Judge at the Argentine Criminal Court of Appeals.

For a full gallery of photos from Judge Freiler’s visit, please go here.