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On Tuesday, January 19, Sagita Mirjam Sunara (2009-10, Art Conservation) took part in the Pre-Columbian ceramics survey at the University of Delaware Gallery. The survey included examination of individual objects, assessment of their authenticity and proposals for their conservation.
Follow the link for more information: http://www.udel.edu/udaily/2010/jan/museums012710.html
- Activity Category: Other
- Activity Period: January 19 2010
- Collaboration: U.S. faculty or administrators
Rauf Isgandarov, JFDP Fellow, (Mississippi State University, Public Administration) took the opportunity to give several lectures during his very active semester at his University.
On April 9th, 2009 he delivered the lecture “Authoritarianism and Democracy in post-soviet states of former USSR: political situation and economic growth” to Professor Dragomir Radin’s “Political Economy of Developing Nations” class. His lecture resulted in many questions related to the topic and discussion was continues in the following class meeting.
On April 20th 2009, Isgandarov gave a lecture on the “Labor Management system in Azerbaijan” to Professor Doug Goodman’s “Public Personnel Management” class. The presentation was of great interest to the students and there were a lot of questions concerning the topic and Azerbaijan in general. Isgandarov got a lot of satisfaction from this experience.
On April 21st, 2009, Isgandarov also gave a presentation on the “Local Government System in Azerbaijan” to another class he is currently observing. The presentation resulted in many questions and comments related to the topic.
- Activity Category: Lecture
- Activity Period: April 9th, 2009
- Collaboration: U.S. faculty or administrators
JFDP Alumni 2007-2008 Sairagul Matikeeva participated in the third annual National Scientific Symposium titled “The philosophy and technology of education.” The symposium took place at May 13, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
This very important academic event was organized by Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic, Committee of Education, Science and Culture of Jogorku Kenesh (Parliament) of the Kyrgyz Republic and NGO “Yiyk Ata-Jurt.” The Symposium was dedicated to education challenges and success’ in Kyrgyzstan. Over 154 academic papers were entered participation. However, just 45 papers were selected for presentation and following publication in scientific-social journal “Shookum,” and the scientific newspaper “Kut bilim.”
Sairagul Matikeeva’s paper “University Education: USA Experience” was selected for panel presentation and discussion. The purpose of this paper was to outline the organization and processes of US universities. The paper also discussed important issues such as “tenure”, faculty support, course management systems like “blackboard”, how to make and use a syllabus in the classroom, social partnership between universities and individuals, and commercial structures and donations to the university. The presentation also covered special courses for non-traditional students and life long learners.
Sairagul Matikeeva’s presentation resulted in active discussion. Most of participants supported Sairagul’s suggestion for the implementation of US university technologies”, some participants had differing opinions about how to begin implementation if at all. However, Sairagul’s arguments for change and several of her suggestions such as implementing a “tenure” system,and research funding and special courses for retired people were suggested to be included in the Symposium Resolution, which will be sent to decision making organizations such as the Ministry of Education and others. This Resolution will include a collection of special Symposium materials, and will be published shortly.
Sairagul believes that her presentation and main idea of paper will speak to educators and that they will introduce some of suggested technologies into Kyrgyzstan education system.
The information included in the paper was taken from the lectures-presentations of speakers, whose sessions Sairagul attended during her JFDP fellowship. Sairagul also included material, which was collected during JFDP fellowship at UNC Chapel Hill.
- Activity Category: Sharing U.S. Culture at Home
- Activity Period: May 13 2009
- Collaboration: None -- I worked alone
During her stay at California State University Long Beach, Cholpon Bakirova (JFDP 2008-09, History), had the opportunity to study History courses and US higher educational issues. She was also able and willing to share her experience and knowledge about Kyrgyzstan with faculty, professors and students. Cholpon gave three presentations for various audiences while at CSULB.
Cholpon’s first presentation was in her Academic Advisor, Professor Ali Igmen’s course “Central Asia and Afghanistan 20th century”. This particular class was about the novel Mother Earth, an outstanding work by Kyrgyz writer Chyngyz Aitmatov. This was a very interesting and surprising activity for her, because she realized that the students were aware of this writer and his books. The presentation was followed by a lively question and answer session.
Her second, and most important, presentation, titled “The social and cultural images of contemporary Kyrgyz woman.” was for the History department faculty and staff. Preparation for this presentation began as soon as Cholpon received the news that she would be hosted at CSULB. She wanted to give this presentation to show the status of Kyrgyz women after the Soviet Union and the gender issues that exist in her country. In order to make this presentation more authentic and colorful, Cholpon wore her national dress, which she brought from home. She even prepared Kyrgyz national dishes and made homemade bread, by doing this she brought a piece of her culture to her host university. Cholpon remarks that the presentation “… was very good experience for me. I was warmly welcomed by the history professors and they enjoyed my dishes.”
Cholpon’s final presentation, “Kyrgyzstan: Land of celestial mountains,” was for her host coordinator Linda Olson Levy and for International Education Center. The audience was varied, students, professors and other people who were interested in Kyrgyzstan in attendance. The presentation covered general information about Kyrgyzstan, such as political and geopolitical issues, tourism, nature, people, traditions and cuisine.
Cholopon reflected on her presentation experiences at CSULB and said, “… I’ve completed my mission, I have learned so much here and I am ready to share my knowledge with my colleagues and students back home, but I also think that I’ve left some print in memories of students and professors at the History department as well. That is my JFDP mission.”
- Activity Category: Presentation
- Activity Period: February - May 2009
- Collaboration: None -- I worked alone
On March 21, 2009, in Pittsburgh, PA, JFDP Fellows Shahin Bayramov (2008-2009, Economics, Indiana University, Bloomington), participated in the University of Pittsburgh Fourth Annual Graduate Student Conference titled "The Future of the European Union: External Challenges and Internal Debates.”
The Conference was jointly organized by the University Center for International Studies and the European Union Center for Excellence/European Studies Center. Conference participants and speakers included PhD candidates from various American and European Universities.
Mr. Shahin Bayramov actively participated in four main Panels of the Conference: 1) EU Institutions: Political, Economic and Legal Aspects; 2) Reconfigured Borders: Cultural, Institutional and Ideological Impact of Enlargement; 3) Domestic and Transnational Sources of Europeanization; 4) The EU as a Global Actor.
Bayramov gave a presentation on “The prospects for EU further enlargement or enlargement without new memberships”. He spoke about EU enlargement, the European Neighborhood Policy, the EU and Turkey membership negotiations, Euro – Dollar relations, the EU’s role in the world economy, and the current economic crisis and its impact to on the EU.
This conference provided Mr Bayramov with the opportunity to establish professional contact with EU-related researchers from the US and Europe. He learned about new theoretical and practical issues regarding his PhD work, and was able to get sufficient information about the European Studies Center at the University of Pittsburgh. As a result of this conference Bayramov plans to initiate a similar European Studies Center at his University in Baku, Azerbaijan.
- Activity Category: Conference/Workshop Attendance
- Activity Period: March 21, 2009
- Collaboration: None -- I worked alone