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Berdymurad Ovezmuradov (JFDP 07-08, Turkmenistan) has long been interested in using IT for instructional purposes. NC State university provided him with great opportunities to learn advanced techniques, such as multimedia presentations, VISTA, computer animations, web-design etc.
After the intense cutting-edge education technology training in their DELTA department, Ovezmuradov was able to develop his own educational web-site on textile technology for Turkmen students, faculty and industry professionals. NCSU kindly provided him with free server space to place his Dreamweaver based educational web-pages. It was a long-cherished dream of his, because he strongly believes that there is a need for web-site in native languages as a source of information on textiles, which is a very important branch of his country's economy. But, it was just here in US that he started using web-design seriously. So far, it is a very simple web-site, but it already features some streaming videos, sound and a lot of images. Ovezmuradov tried to reflect his Turkmen culture as well. One page in this web-site about Turkmen weddings with video and pictures could be especially interesting for other fellows. It also includes some samples of traditional Turkmen music. While he only has a little experience now, in the future he is determined to master web-design and use Internet-based education very actively.

http://www4.ncsu.edu/~bovezmu/

• Activity Category: Website Creation
• Activity Period: March, 2008 - May, 2008
• Collaboration: None -- I worked alone

On 12 April 2008 Shahla Gahramanova, (JFDP 2007-08, International Affairs, Florida State University) from Azerbaijan attended the Annual Conference of the Florida Political Sciences Association held in St. Petersburg, Florida. Within the panel “History and Current Events in International Relations,” she gave a presentation on “Diplomatic Immunity: Evaluation and Importance in Modern Practice”. The topic was devoted to the role of diplomacy in modern world with tense and intensive international relations and the importance of diplomatic immunities and privileges for the safe and productive work of diplomatic envoys in receiving countries.

After a brief glance into the history of diplomatic service, participants were presented information about the problems that diplomatic envoys face in receiving countries and what should be done to prevent them. Recent events in Iraq, Balkans, and the Middle East representing danger to the lives of diplomats were stressed during the presentation.

In line with talking about importance of immunities and privileges provided to diplomatic agents, violations committed in receiving countries by diplomats were also touched upon.

A similar presentation was made for the graduate students at Florida State University. The presentation for the graduate students lasted 45 min. and more than 30 students attended the presentation. In both cases, the presentation was followed by a question and answer session.

Currently, Gahramanova is working on a paper where she will try to discover possible ways of resolving the aforementioned problems.

• Activity Category: Conference/Workshop Attendance
• Activity Period: 12 April 2008
• Collaboration: None -- I worked alone

Mirjana Bobic, (JFDP alumna, 2005-06) Assistant Professor, Faculty of Philosophy, Belgrade, Serbia, has been accepted to participate in an International Conference that will take place at York University, Toronto, Canada, ON, on June 15-18, 2008 under the title "Refugees and the Insecure Nation; Managing Forced Migrations in Canada 2008". Mrs Bobic will present the paper on "Forced Migrants in Serbia; Facts and Figures, Coping Strategies, Policies". This will be the unique chance to present the facts on refugees and internally displaced persons from Kosovo, who reside in Serbia. Besides them, Serbia currently hosts 3 another types of forced migrants (victims of human trafficking and smuggling, re-admission returnees from EU and asylum seekers), thus providing itself the European crisis point, as to illegal moves. The acceleration of this process of association to EU should bring about adoption the common (Schengen) visa regime and thus facilitate control on flows of capital, goods and people.

• Activity Category: Conference/Workshop Attendance
• Activity Period: June, 15-18, Toronto, Canada
• Collaboration: None -- I worked alone

Farhad Mehdiyev (JFDP 06-07, Law) has published a textbook about Administrative Law. Azerbaijan, as other former Soviet republics, does not have an administrative law system in the western concept, which is so essential for the establishment of rule of law. Still, Administrative Law is not considered like legal rules which are bound to the state more than individuals. For instance, liability of administrative bodies is not taught in conventional textbooks. This book is written in the European concept, all institutes of European administrative law were included in book. The latest developments in related institutes are mentioned and analyzed as well. The purpose in writing this book is to present western standards in public administration, judicial review over administrative function, financial liability of state and other related cornerstones of rule of law. The book is aimed to provide students and researchers with the latest developments in administrative law. Thus, the book is very pertinent for post-Soviet republics which have very similar systems of public administration.

• Activity Category: Published Book
• Activity Period: 2004 - 2007
• Collaboration: None -- I worked alone

Gayane Grigoryan, (JFDP 07-08 American Studies, University of Wyoming), on July 19 gave an interview on the local TV channel in Gyumri, Armenia. Gayane spoke about the JFDP program and her experience in the US. She mentioned the advantages and usefulness of the program, gave a comparative description of Armenian and American Higher Educational Systems, their common issues and problems, and some ways of overcoming them. In her speech Gayane described American Universities and students; how seriously the students treat their classes and how well they behave during the lessons.
She challenged University scholars to apply to this program, have a chance to experience U.S. culture and way of life, enlarge their knowledge personally and professionally. Gayane is sure that exchange programs promote University scholars to work harder and implement new methods and ideas in their work; they are dedicated to enhancing cross-cultural understanding, international education and long-term friendship, and establishing relationships between home and host institutions. Gayane is so lucky to have become more self-reliant and independent, full of new ideas and views.
She is ready and glad to share her experience and spread her knowledge with her friends and colleagues.

• Activity Category: Sharing U.S. Culture at Home
• Activity Period: June 19, 2008
• Collaboration: None -- I worked alone