Faculty Expand Partnerships in Prague

A group of 12 NC State faculty members spent spring break in the Czech Republic for the Global Symposium in Prague. The program, facilitated by the Office of International Affairs, was designed to explore international activities at NC State’s Prague Institute and area universities. Participants came from ten different NC State colleges or administrative departments and focused on a wide range of partnership development activities spanning disciplines across the university. Projects ranged from developing undergraduate research opportunities to expanding the First Year Inquiry program to students studying textiles.

The Global Symposium was based at the Prague Institute, a year-round facility that advances the educational and outreach missions of the university. It is NC State’s only permanent international facility that welcomes both students and faculty. Symposium participants explored possibilities of utilizing the institute to expand study abroad programs and research opportunities, among other innovative ideas.

Expanding NC State’s global partnerships in Prague was another goal of the program, met through visits to Charles University, Czech Technical University and Czech University of Life Sciences. Participants learned about the institutions by touring campuses, meeting with university administrators and faculty, and conducting working meetings with counterparts.

Back on campus, symposium participants will continue to develop their ideas to leverage the Prague Institute to expand international activities. As study abroad and research opportunities develop in Prague, specific programs will be covered more in-depth through International Affairs news.

Global Symposium in Prague Photo Album

Global Symposium in Prague 2017 – Participants

• Chris Ashwell, Division of Academic & Student Affairs (Office of Undergraduate Research) and College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
• Debbie Acker, Shelton Leadership Center
• Philip Brown, College of Sciences
• Susan Carson, Division of Academic & Student Affairs (Office of Undergraduate Research) and College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
• Bethany Glueck, Division of Academic & Student Affairs (Counseling Center)
• Tammy Gordon, College of Humanities & Social Sciences
• Madhusudan Katti, College of Natural Resources
• Eric Money, College of Natural Resources (Center for Geospatial Analytics)
• Liz Moran, College of Textiles
• Seth Murray, College of Humanities & Social Sciences
• Kevin Oliver, College of Education
• Rudolf Seracino, College of Engineering

International Affairs plans to facilitate additional Global Symposiums in other regions of the world on an annual basis. The location and call for proposals for spring break 2018 will be announced in early fall.

This post was originally published in International Affairs News.