Vietnam Education Foundation U.S. Scholar Faculty Grants
VEF has announced a Call for Proposals for it's new education exchange program for U.S. Faculty Scholars for the 2008-09 academic year. See complete information at http://home.vef.gov/download/US%20Faculty%20Scholars_2007.pdf The deadline for all proposals is March 3, 2008. Online applications are available beginning January 1, 2008, at the VEF website: http://application.vef.gov/ufsp/

Phi Beta Delta Seminar Series
Please mark your calendars for an upcoming seminars series sponsored by the Iowa State University Phi Beta Delta, Alpha Delta Chapter. These seminars provide a unique opportunity to network with faculty, staff and students on campus who bring a broad range of experiences and interests related international teaching, research, and outreach. This will be an opportunity to expand your knowledge base beyond your academic specialization while connecting with and encouraging fellow chapter members. We encourage you to invite fellow colleagues and students who have an interest in global issues.

January 23, 2008

Integrating Knowledge Gained from International Experiences Back into the Classroom Dr. Eric Abbott, Professor Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication Room 302 Catt Hall, 12 noon

Recent Agreements
The ISU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences has recently signed agreements with the following institutions:

	Country	Institution
	France	Ecole Nationale d'Ingenieurs des Techniques des Industries Agricoles et Alimentaires
	Peru	National Agrarian University La Molina
	Romania	Dunarea de Jos University
	Romania	University Stefan cel Mare
	Thailand	King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang

 

International Science and Education Competitive Grants Program
An RFA for the International Science and Education (ISE) competitive grants program has been issued. The ISE supports research, extension, and teaching activities that will enhance the capabilities of American colleges and universities to conduct international collaborative research, extension and teaching. ISE projects are expected to enhance the international content of curricula; ensure that faculty work beyond the U.S. and bring lessons learned back home; promote international research partnerships; enhance the use and application of foreign technologies in the U.S.; and strengthen the role that colleges and universities play in maintaining U.S. competitiveness.

The RFA can be found on the CSREES website at: www.csrees.usda.gov/fo/educationinternationalscience.cfm The closing date for this program is January 17, 2008. Two CALS teams have been selected by the ISU Office of the Vice President for Research to submit proposals on behalf of ISU.

Students Spend Winter Break Abroad
Analysis of Food and Agricultural Systems in Ecuador
Twenty-one CALS students spent their winter break closer to the equator, touring and studying food and agricultural systems in Ecuador; assessing the effects of infrastructure, domestic and international markets, formal and informal trade and regional and international scales of commerce on small and large producers. Sponsored by the Agronomy Department and led by Gretchen Zdorkowski and Sarah Carlson.

Food, Fiber, Folklore and Flamingos
Six students were introduced to research in plant science, botany, crop production and the natural environment in Yucatan, Mexico. They interacted with local agricultural students by participating in community service and staying with host families. Students learned about the local ecosystem as it relates to water flow, water quality and quantity and environmental conditions in rural areas regarding a wild bird reserve. They will experience the contemporary and historical Maya culture and the lingering affects of the Spanish colonial period on this indigenous culture. Sponsored by the Agronomy Department and Iowa Sister States and led by Rick Exner, Sorrel Brown and Sue Jarnagin.

Two Costa Rican Students Spend Semester on Iowa Farms
Laura Oporto Gonzalez and Juan Andres Carvajal Amador, two students from EARTH University in Costa Rica, spent the fall semester on Midwest farms. Laura lived with Kevin and Marjie Werner on their family farm near Manchester, Iowa, and Juan Andres lived with Dale and Patty Trebesch in Morgan, Minnesota. Laura and Juan Andres completed their 15-week internship required of all third year EARTH students, learning about agriculture in the Midwest by actively participating on these two Midwestern farms. Thank you to the families that made it possible for Laura and Juan Andres to have this incredible experience! For more information about this or other programs, contact Shelley Taylor at sztaylor@iastate.edu

International Visitors to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences