FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The International Programs Office in the U of A's Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences has awarded funding to seven programs and projects for 2017-18, all aimed at enhancing student career and academic opportunities.

Funding is designated to be used for faculty meetings, travel, lodging and meals to help reduce financial burdens for students. Recommendations were made by a faculty review panel.

Programs selected include:

• "Trekking Australia: Animals, Aborigines, Rainforests and Reef," $5,000; instructor Kathi Jogan, animal science; the goal is a multidisciplinary program giving students learning opportunities on land management and landscape practices different from those used in the U.S., and focused on ecological concerns, sustainability and conservation.
• "Experiential Learning in Indian Agriculture," $4,000; professors Vibha Srivastava and Mary Savin, crop, soil, and environmental sciences; the goal is to educate students on market, culture and systems of agriculture in India, which does business with the world's major seed, chemical and agricultural engineering and service companies.
• "The Reggio Emilia Approach in Context: History, Policy and Culture," $2,500; clinical assistant professor Laura Herold, human development and family sciences; clinical assistant professor and Executive Director of Education Programs Shelley McNally, Jean Tyson Child Development Study Center; the goal is to provide students with an understanding and implementation of the Reggio Emilia approach and the Montessori approach (theories of early childhood education), as well as Italy's universal preschool system.
• "Service Learning Program: Swaziland," $2,500; associate professor Lanier Nalley, agricultural economics and agribusiness; the goal is a multidisciplinary program where students encourage, support and engage in sustainable global development and food production through community collaborations with hands on experience in the sugar industry, or research on agronomy, plant breeding, nutrition or economics at the Swaziland Economic Policy Analysis and Research Centre.
• "Development AMPD Program at the UA Rome Center in Conjunction With an AMPD Faculty-Led Study Tour," $2,500; associate professor Laurie Apple and clinical associate professor Kathy Smith, apparel merchandising and product development; the goal is to build on AMPD's international education and faculty experience leading and developing international opportunities for students, to enhance the marketability of students and give students the opportunity to enroll for nine credit hours at the Rome Center with six taught by AMPD faculty.
• "New Zealand Human/Animal Interactions Study Abroad Intersession," $2,500; instructor Kathi Jogan, animal science; the goal is for students to explore a network of human and animal interactions, and livestock and wildlife management practices to gain a global perspective of animal management practices and how culture, history and geography can impact the use of land and animals within society.
• "Multidisciplinary International Studies in Green Technology and Bioresource Utilization," $2,000; University Professor Andy Proctor, food science; professor and department head Robert Bacon, crop, soil, and environmental sciences; University of Gent, Belgium; the goal is to create a student exchange program focused on green technology and the total agri-production chain to reduce energy consumption and production of greenhouse gases.

"Faculty-driven international education programs have proven to be a sustainable method in our college," said Leslie Edgar, assistant dean of student programs and head of the International Programs Office. "Our faculty commit numerous hours seeking funding to reduce program costs for students, plan outstanding programs that positively impact our students, and then, in many cases, lead our students abroad. The IPO has felt a more than 60 percent increase in students participating in the past four years. This is due to our incredible faculty who are committed to developing international programs that enhance student's career readiness. We hope these small grants show our appreciation for their efforts."

Current research shows 71.8 percent of Bumpers College students are interested in participating in an international program. Reasons include resume building, life-changing opportunities, experiencing a life-time impact, making new friends from different areas, personal growth, to be set apart when applying for jobs or graduate school, to change perspective on life and to create a positive impact on future careers.

Find out more about Bumpers College's International Programs Office.

About the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences: Bumpers College provides life-changing opportunities to position and prepare graduates who will be leaders in the businesses associated with foods, family, the environment, agriculture, sustainability and human quality of life; and who will be first-choice candidates of employers looking for leaders, innovators, policy makers and entrepreneurs. The college is named for Dale Bumpers, former Arkansas governor and longtime U.S. senator who made the state prominent in national and international agriculture.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.