FDU Magazine Online, Winter/Spring 2007
   

FDU NOW Offers a View
of FDU Tomorrow

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GLOBAL EDUCATION
Since its inception in 1942, Fairleigh Dickinson has provided its students with an education that is “of and for the world.” Founder Peter Sammartino emphasized international lessons and developed partnerships with programs and institutions throughout the world. Today, as the world grows more interconnected and interdependent, it is even more imperative to prepare students who can collaborate with those from different cultures and succeed anywhere in the world.

Building on its traditions, in 2000, the University introduced a new mission statement — a mission to prepare world citizens through global education. Since then the University has developed a number of major initiatives such as the United Nations Pathways Program (including lectures and dinners on campus with U.N. ambassadors, videoconferences broadcast from U.N. headquarters and special briefings held at the United Nations for FDU students) and the Global Virtual Faculty Program (scholars and practitioners from around the world who contribute to courses via the Internet), while expanding its international partnerships.

“The University’s initiatives in global education have made FDU a center where students learn by experiencing other cultures and countries,” said Associate Provost for Global Learning Elise Salem.

“We have a wonderful ability to surround the subject matter with other points of view,” she said. “A history or philosophy student at the University, for example, can go beyond the discussion that takes place in the classroom and engage faculty scholars from around the world, just by logging on to the computer.”

“This approach to learning,” Salem said, “takes students beyond themselves and their own experiences to understand the world through the eyes of others.”

“A student majoring in business, for instance, graduates from FDU with the ability to thrive in the world community. It’s an essential ingredient for a successful business career in today’s global corporate environment,” said Salem.
ASHNI PATEL
Metropolitan Campus sophomore Ashni Patel came to FDU from India to accomplish her goal of becoming a nurse. “The reputation of FDU’s nursing program captured my attention,” she said.

After earning her BSN, Patel plans to serve as a nurse and pursue a graduate degree in the hopes of attaining a position as a hospital administrator. Patel serves as a student ambassador for the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. In addition, she is president of Indian Cultural Experience (ICE), a student cultural organization. She said of her involvement, “It makes me feel at home.”

Commenting on the University’s plans to renovate the Student Union Building, Patel said, “This is probably the coolest thing that can happen to FDU students. We will have a place where we can relax between classes. Also, our student organizations will benefit from more office space.”
The success of FDU NOW will enable the University to offer a global education to each student and will infuse global education across the curriculum. The campaign will directly impact programs within the University’s Office of Global Learning, enabling FDU to, for example, increase its roster of Global Virtual Faculty.

The University will be able to expand other programs as well, such as the Global Issues Gateway Web site (www.gig.org), which offers news on global issues and videos of U.N. events on campus, and is expanding to include more course-related activities, an online journal, interactive forums and more global resources for faculty and students.

Other opportunities include the development of an international scholars program, the expansion of study-abroad opportunities and more seminars that complement the study of global issues in the classroom, such as the one recently held on human rights and conflict resolution, in which students had the opportunity to hear first-hand from people from places like Darfur and Rwanda.

Expanding existing programs, while also creating new global initiatives, will be a critical piece of the campaign. “As a result of such efforts,” Salem said, “the University’s leadership in global education and the value of an FDU degree will be enhanced.”

Next …

“The University’s initiatives in global education have made FDU a center where students learn by experiencing other cultures and countries.”
— Elise Salem, Associate Provost for Global Learning

   

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For a print copy of FDU Magazine, featuring this and other stories, contact Rebecca Maxon, editor,
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