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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.
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 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.”
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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 …
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©Copyright 2007 Fairleigh Dickinson University. All rights reserved.
For a print copy of FDU Magazine, featuring this and other stories, contact Rebecca Maxon, editor,
201-692-7024 or maxon@fdu.edu.
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