Recent News

OSU Signs Memorandum of Understanding with the new University of Ségou in Mali, Africa

On October 15^th, the School of International Studies with OSU’s Division of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources (DASNR) facilitated the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the University of Ségou of the Republic of Mali, Africa. The MOU indicates an openness to explore future opportunities for academic collaboration. There were several OSU faculty members and staff who witnessed the emotional ceremony that started a new relationship between the two institutions. After the MOU signing, Minister Ginette Bellegarde Siby, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the Republic of Mali, stated, “The University of Ségou was officially born today.” Those historic words will be remembered by the guests as the birth of a new university in the Republic of Mali.

DASNR hosted the Malian delegation October 14 - 16. The delegation included Minister Siby; Pr. Amadou Diallo, Rector, University of Bamako; Pr. Abdoulaye Salim Cissé, Chairman of the Steering Committee, University of Ségou; and, Pr. Bakary Cissé, Head of the Research Division, University of Bamako. Dr. David Henneberry, DASNR’s Director of International Programs, was thoroughly pleased to host the delegation and start a new cooperation. “It is a new relationship that will continue for a long time and benefit both institutions,” said Henneberry.

The School of International Studies coordinates the signing of Memorandums of Understanding between OSU and institutions and governments across the US and the world. Currently, OSU has more than 180 active international agreements with over 150 entities encompassing almost 60 countries throughout the globe. OSU faculty and administrators are actively engaged in increasing and emphasizing these agreements and exchanges to advance OSU’s ambitious efforts to internationalize students’ educational experience and research endeavors.

Malian and OSU officials look on during the emotional & historic ceremony as Dr. David Henneberry (seated, left), OSU’s Division of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources’ Director of International Programs, and Minister Ginette Bellegarde Siby (seated, right), Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the Republic of Mali sign the MOU establishing a relationship between OSU and Mali’s University of Ségou.

SIS Grad Program Students Start Fall Classes

The Graduate Program of the School of International Studies welcomed 35 new students to campus in August. This makes the total enrolled for Fall ’09 now stand at 90 students. The class is a pretty diverse one. It is comprised of approximately 50% male and female students and about 60% domestic and 40% international students. Fourteen states are represented among the domestic students and 23 countries are represented among the international students. SIS is pleased to welcome such a diverse group of students to campus. This is an exciting way to begin the 11^th year of Program!

The students in the SIS Graduate Program gathered for a picture after the semester’s first Contemporary Issues class outside of the Wes Watkins Center, home of SIS. Thirty four of the Program’s 90 current students are pictured with Graduate Advisor Donna Birchler, Congressman Wes Watkins and Graduate Program Assistant Cindi Stephens.

SIS Welcomes Two Esteemed Muskie Fellows into Graduate Program

The Graduate Program of the School of International Studies (SIS) welcomes two students who were awarded the highly regarded Muskie Program Fellowship. Rafael Zhansultanov from Kazakhstan and Jahan Saparmamedova from Turkmenistan will be among the 30 new students entering the Graduate Program for the Fall 2009 semester. SIS is honored to continue its tradition of having Muskie Fellows in its Graduate Program. Currently, two other students – Firyuza Babayeva of Turkmenistan and Eraj Kaniev of Tajikistan – are among SIS’s 90 students who are working toward their Master’s degrees. In its ten year history, SIS has had about 50 Muskie Fellows go through the Graduate Program. For more information about the Muskie Graduate Fellowship Program, click here…

SIS’s Rafael Zhansultanov (seated at left, in suit) from Kazakhstan paused for a photo with the other Kazahk students who will enter US institutions this Fall as part of the Muskie Graduate Fellowship Program.

SIS Student Returns from Peace Corps Service in Lesotho

School of International Studies’ (SIS) student, Jason Field, recently returned from his two year Peace Corps service in Lesotho, Africa. About Lesotho Jason says, "Lesotho is a great place to be. Being surrounded by South Africa offers access to all the comforts of life, yet Lesotho is remote enough to offer a true African experience. It is extremely safe – the English language is widely used, and the people are some of the friendliest on Earth. Anyone planning a trip to Africa should consider the 'Mountain Kingdom' as their destination."

Students in the Peace Corps Master’s International Program, a part of the SIS Graduate Program, take one year of classes, serve their two years of Peace Corps service, then return for a semester of follow-up thesis or creative component hours. It is a unique opportunity to incorporate one’s Peace Corps service into a Master’s degree. SIS has one of the few graduate programs in the US to offer this opportunity, and it is considered one of the nation’s most successful. Since 2003, among alumni, those in the field and those in class, SIS’s program boasts almost 30 participants.

(Left) Outside his traditional mud and grass hut, SIS student Jason Field is pictured with Nikiwe Kakalala, whom he helped care for during his two year Peace Corps service in Lesotho, Africa. (Right) Jason is at Maletsunyane Falls in Semonkong, one of Lesotho's many natural tourist attractions.

Agreement with Transilvania University, Brasov, Romania

Oklahoma State University signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) wth Transilvania University of Brasov, Romania, on July 15, 2009. OSU professor Dr. Salim Hiziroglu was in Romania for the signing ceremony.

The relationship between the two universities started more than 15 years ago, when Dr. Hiziroglu began correspondence with Transilvania University professors Dr. Lidia Gurau and Dr. Marius Barbu, based on their shared specialties in wood products and technology. Dr. Hiziroglu and Dr. Barbu have also worked together since 2000 to organize international conferences for the International Union Forestry Research Organization (IUFRO).

Potential benefits of the MOU include research collaboration, as well as student and visiting scholar exchanges.

“Transilvania University of Brasov is well-developed and one of the most established research institutions in Romania,” said Dr. Hiziroglu.

Photo: OSU professor Dr. Salim Hiziroglu with Transilvania University’s Vice-Rector, Dr. Marina Cionca, and professor Dr. Lidia Gurau (left to right) in Brasov, Romania.