The University of Central Arkansas Office of International Engagement awarded its first ever Distinguished International Student Scholarship to Ha Ram Kim, a student at Buenos Aires International Christian Academy in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Kim was chosen for this scholarship based on his outstanding academic achievement, as well as his excellent record in community service in acting as a tutor to students with learning disabilities. In addition to being class valedictorian, Kim is also the founder and president of his high school’s Community Service Club, where he organized and led donation drives for local orphanages and food banks.

“We are certain that Kim will be a beacon of leadership and commitment to UCA and his community and benefit from this amazing opportunity,” said UCA Latin American Specialist Lara Bersano, in a ceremony held for Kim at the United States Embassy in Buenos Aires last week.

In addition to Kim’s friends and family, U.S. Embassy Cultural Affairs Representative Linda Talluto; Buenos Aires International Christian Academy Coordinator Gerson Semedo; and Education USA Advisors Amy Molden and Sarah Sumadi were also in attendance at the ceremony, as well as Bersano, who works from Argentina.

“Although we in Arkansas could not present for the celebration, we are honored to have this young scholar representing Argentina at UCA,” said UCA Associate Vice President and Associate Provost Jane Ann Williams.

Kim plans to pursue a degree in the field of education but also hopes to continue his community service efforts while at UCA. “This scholarship is even more significant to my family and me as UCA is an open door when most of the doors have closed on me. I will not only try my best at upholding excellence, but will also strive to be the person who helps open new doors to others, both at UCA and abroad,” said Kim.

The Distinguished International Student Scholarship is a highly competitive scholarship with awards being determined based upon college proficiency exams, grade point average, essay submission, and letters of recommendation.

Distinguished International Student Scholars will receive an award equivalent to full tuition and fees and includes housing and meals for the fall and spring semesters up to four years. To read more about this scholarship as well as other scholarships available to international students at UCA, visit www.uca.edu/international/scholarship.

 

Senior Director of the Global Office of Diversity for Walmart, Donald Fan, met with President Tom Courtway to officially accept a position on the UCA Confucius Institute Board of Directors for the UCA Confucius Institute. As a board member, Mr. Fan will be a vital part of decisions regarding the development and advancement of the UCA Confucius Institute including the Teach Chinese in Arkansas program, which oversees the placement of Chinese teachers in Arkansas public schools.

“It is a great honor to have Mr. Fan on our board,” said Dr. Guo-Ou Zhuang, the director of the UCA Confucius Institute. “Mr. Fan’s expertise and experience highlight UCA’s dedication to academic vitality, integrity, and diversity. We know he will be an asset to our Board of Directors.”

Donald Fan currently serves as a board director of Global Diversity and Inclusion Foundation, also as a member of the Wharton Advisory Panel of Executives, University of Pennsylvania, Cornell University Executive Thought Leader Advisory Board.

Mr. Fan taught college in China before coming to the United States for graduate studies in 1990. Mr. Fan earned a Bachelor in English Literature and Master Degrees in Education from Anhui Normal University.

Mr. Fan’s visit to UCA was in conjunction with a visiting delegation from his Alma Mater, Anhui Normal University to meet with President Courtway and sign agreements regarding the Global Education Project and exchange student programs. The delegations included ANU Provost, Jiacun Zhu; ANU Director of International Affairs, Shengjiong Huang; and the Dean of the ANU College of Foreign Languages, Jingze Zheng.

From March 3 to 7, 2014, the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) organized the “Leaders of the World” International Leadership Program. The UCA Confucius Institute (UCACI) was a co-sponsor of the program. Invited by UCA, Professor Minsheng Huang from East China Normal University (ECNU) attended the program and delivered a speech on water pollution and control in China.

At the “Water & Wastewater Management” panel on the morning of March 4^th, Professor Huang gave a speech on pollution control in China and his field research in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province. He first gave an overview of the pollution problems in China and means and progress China has made in solving those problems. Then he focused on his research topic “Wastewater treatment, aquatic environment quality assessment and eco-remediation.” Dr. Ben Cash, Chair of UCA Biology and Environment Department showed great interest in his research. The speech also aroused great interests among attendees from over 10 countries and regions, who engaged in active discussions with Professor Huang.

On March 6, Professor Huang attended the lecture by Brad Lacy, President of Conway Chamber of Commerce. He conversed with Mr. Lacy on topics like Conway’s urban planning and public administration. In the afternoon, Professor Huang visited the Conway Sanitation Department of Conway Corporation. He had in-depth discussion with the staff. Later, he also inspected the water quality of Arkansas river.

During the “Leaders of The World” International Leadership Program, accompanied by Dr. Lucy Xiaohong Lu, Deputy Director of UCACI, Professor Huang visited Clinton Presidential Center and Clinton School of Public Service. He also visited UCACI and met with UCACI Chinese teachers and Chinese students.

华东师范大学资源与环境科学学院黄民生教授参加中阿肯色大学“世界领袖会议”

2014年3月3日至3月 7日，中阿肯色大学举行“世界领袖会议”，中阿肯色大学孔子学院参与协办该活动。华东师范大学资源与环境科学学院黄民生教授应邀参加本次会议，并就“环境污染与治理”进行主旨发言。

在3月4日上午进行的“水资源与水治理”论坛中，黄民生教授进行了关于中国环境污染与治理的主旨演讲。演讲首先介绍了中国所面临的污染问题，并说明了中国在解决环境问题方面的策略措施。接下来，黄教授介绍了自己的研究案例“水处理与水质测评”。中肯色大学生物环境学系主任Ben Cash博士高度评价黄教授演讲内容。报告引起了与会者的广泛兴趣。报告后，黄教授与来自数十个国家和地区的参会者进行了问答和讨论。

3 月6日上午，黄教授出席了康威商务委员会主席Brad Lacy的演讲。他就演讲中介绍的康威城市规划与市政管理等问题与Lacy先生进行了深入讨论。下午，黄教授参观了康威饮用水和污水处理中心，并与中心工作人员进行了探讨。随后他还考察了阿肯色河的水质情况。

在“世界领袖会议”活动期间，黄教授还在中阿肯色大学孔子学院中方院长陆晓红博士的陪同下参观了克林顿总统中心和克林顿行政学院，并在孔子学院与中阿肯色大学的中国留学生进行了会谈。

Buenos Aires Minister of Government, Executive of the Museo Evita Research Center and Grand Niece of Eva Peron, Cristina Álvarez Rodríguez will give a presentation entitled “Eva Perón: A Leader and Legacy” at the University of Central Arkansas for the “Leaders of the World” International Leadership Program on Wednesday, March 5th at 9:00am in the Board of Trustees Conference Room of Wingo Hall.

Cristina Álvarez Rodríguez graduated from the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism of the National University of Buenos Aires. Master in Cultural Management of MERCOSUR at the University of Palermo and distinguished as Honorary Professor of the Department of Architecture and Environment. Faculty of Architecture, Design, Art and Planning, University of Morón.

Among her most recent responsibilities Rodríguez, was Minister of Infrastructure of the Province of Buenos Aires, Vice President of the Latin American Parliament (Delegation Argentina), President ad-honorem of the National Institute of Historical Research and member of Eva Peron, president of the Cultural Institute of the Province of Buenos Aires, Under Secretary of Culture of the Province of Buenos Aires and president of the Institute of Social Welfare of the Province of Buenos Aires

Within her political activities she was National Congresswoman of Frente para la Victoria Party (PJ), Vice President of the Commission on Addiction Prevention and Control of Narcotics of the National Congress, President-in -Office of the Justicialist Party in the Province of Buenos Aires and Founder of the political Organization Peronismo 2020.

A full list of speakers and attendees of the “Leaders of the World” conference can be found here.