Global Reach

Teaming up with students from England’s University of Birmingham, two graduate students from the Lee College Engineering participated in the third annual Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ Railway Challenge this summer, where they learned that building a working electric locomotive is a real challenge.
Civil engineering master’s students Ben Gorman and Matt Washing traveled to Leicestershire, England, for the event, which pitted five teams against each other in the design and construction of a 15th-scale locomotive.

Spencer Salas, an associate professor of middle, secondary and K-12 education in the College of Education, recently returned from India and Nepal where he served as an English language specialist teacher trainer.
In India, Salas primarily worked with secondary school teachers of English who work in New Delhi’s most disadvantaged neighborhoods. Salas’ global efforts in India were funded by a grant from the U.S. State Department Regional English Language Office program and hosted by the State Council of Education Research and Training, an autonomous body of the Government of Delhi.

The Office of International Programs, in conjunction with the International Student/Scholar Office and the International Club, will host screenings of the 2014 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony/game and finals/closing ceremony in Norm’s in the Student Union.
The opening ceremony/first game will be from 3 to 6 p.m., Thursday, June 12. The finals/closing ceremony will be shown starting at 3 p.m., Sunday, July 13.
“Come join us to watch great games, enjoy refreshments and cheer your team at the most-watched sporting event in the world,” said OIP’s Sayra Brynn.

In May, David Goldfield, the Robert Lee Bailey Professor of History, delivered lectures at three East China universities, drawing connections between 19th and 20th century economic and social developments and contemporary U.S. society. Goldfield is an academic specialist for the U.S. State Department; he leads seminars and workshops abroad on various aspects of American political culture.

James Tabor, professor and chair of religious studies, will discuss the relationship between Israel and the United States at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 12, at UNC Charlotte Center City, Room 204, as the fourth speaker in the 2014 Great Decisions lecture series.

James Walsh, associate professor and associate chair of political science and public administration, will discuss defense technology at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 5, in UNC Charlotte Center City, Room 204, as part of the 2014 Great Decisions lecture series.
Walsh’s research and teaching interests also include international human rights, national security policy and European integration. Currently, he is studying the relationships between terrorist attacks and human rights abuses and is completing a book on the politics of international intelligence sharing.

As part of the recent campus celebration of International Education Week, the Mu chapter of Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars held its 26th annual meeting and member induction ceremony. Forty new faculty, staff and student members were inducted, and the World Affairs Council of Charlotte received a 2013 honorary membership.

New members were recognized for their excellence in international research, international study and for contributions to the internationalization of UNC Charlotte and the larger Charlotte community. 

Nationally, UNC Charlotte is one of the top producers of Fulbright Scholars, according to a recent article in the Chronicle of Higher Education.
This is a significant achievement, ranking UNC Charlotte alongside other major research institutions, such as the University of California Berkeley, University of Georgia and University of Michigan. But it’s not a surprise either, said Joël Gallegos, assistant provost for international programs.

As part of International Education Week, the Iranian Student Organization will sponsor the event “Ferdowsi and Shahnameh” at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 19, in the Barnhardt Student Activity Center Salons.
“Shahnameh” is an epic poetic masterpiece written by the Persian poet Ferdowsi between 977 and 1010 CE. It is considered the most popular and influential national epic in Iran and other Persian-speaking nations. 

International Education Week is Monday, Nov. 18, through Friday, Nov. 22, and the University will observe this period through special programming, lectures, presentations and other events to emphasize the campus’ commitment to global and international understanding.