Inside this issue:

International Students 2

Our International

Students Population

Continues to Grow

2

Savannah State Univer-

sity was recently selected

to be part of American

Council on Education’s

new project, Creating

Global Citizens: Explor-

ing Internationalization

at HBCUs

3

Study Abroad Students

Address the Savannah

Council on World

Affairs

4

Model United Nations

Students leaving for

Singapore

4

Savannah State Univer-

sity to host the 15th

annual Southeast Model

African Union

4

The global initiatives of

SSU Faculty and Staff

5

Research opportunities

for SSU STEM stu-

dents in China and

Malaysia

6

New International

Faculty

6

Pictures 7

Exchange Program with Jiujiang University

Savannah State University has established an exchange program with Jiujiang

University. According to this agreement, both institutions will be exchanging 5

students per year starting Fall 2011. These exchange students will pay their

tuitions at their respective home institutions and will spend one or two semesters

in the host institutions. SSU University students will have the opportunity to

take some Chinese courses and elective courses that will be taught in English at

Jijuang University. This exchange agreement was initiated by Dr. Otis Johnson,

Mayor of Savannah, following a trip to China organized by the city of Savannah.

Dr. Emmanuel Naniuzeyi traveled to Jinjuang, a sister city of Savannah, to

finalize the agreement with Dr. Gan Xiaoqing, President of Jinjuang University.

Dr. Xiaoqing is expected to visit Savannah State University in April 2011.

GLOBAL INITIATIVES

International

Education Center

Newsletter

February 2011 Volume 1, Issue 1

SSU family

Our participation in the ACE’s project designed to create Global Cit-

izens is a milestone in the history of Savannah State University. As

we begin our journey to promote the internationalization of Savan-

nah State University, it is imperative that students, faculty, and

staff remain informed about the various global initiatives taking

place on campus. The International Education Center will begin the

publication of a bimonthly electronic newsletter called “GLOBAL

INITIATIVES”. The purpose of this newsletter is to highlight activi-

ties that enhance the global competence of our students or promote

the internationalization of Savannah State University. Whether the

activity is curricular or extracurricular, the International Education

Center would like you to share it with the campus community. At

the end of every academic year, hard copies of a more detailed bro-

chure will be made available to the university’s stakeholders. In the

meantime, we encourage students, faculty, and staff who are in-

volved in activities that directly or indirectly contribute to promot-

ing the internationalization of SSU, to send their information to the

International Education Center. Please enjoy our first newsletter.

For feedback, suggestions, and constructive comments, please send

an email to naniuze@bellsouth.net

and Nemiah Taylor (computer

information systems.) Aristide

Sawadogo (engineering) trans-

ferred to SSU from Savannah

Technical College and calls

Burkina Faso in West Africa

home.

We are thrilled to welcome 4

new international students to the

Savannah State family this

Spring semester. Three students

come to us from The Bahamas-

Aleese Simms (computer infor-

mation systems), Ge’Anne Hil-

ton (biology)

Amara Jones from Freeport, Grand Bahamas is currently ranked number two in the nation in the

women’s indoor 300m, according to the Milesplit website. The 5-10 sprinter trails Penn State’s

Shavon Greaves who ran 37.13 at the Penn State Blue-White Meet on December 11, 2010. Jones

posted a time of 38.92 at the Clemson Orange & Purple Winter Classic on December 4, 2010, where

she finished in third place. Amara already holds SSU’s outdoor records in the 200m (23.90) and the

400m (53.01). Amara is a junior studying Marine Sciences and is an active member of the Interna-

tional Student’s Association

Icelandic student, Sandra Kristjansdottir was recently awarded Iceland’s Woman of the Year 2010

in Tennis by the Icelandic Tennis Association in Reykjavik. Sandra is a Savannah State freshman

tennis player is native of Kopavagur, Iceland, also won the "Woman of the Year" award in 2008.

She has a long history of Icelandic national championship titles. She is the reigning Icelandic na-

tional champion in women's singles, women's doubles and mixed doubles. At Savannah State, San-

dra is pursuing her degree in Biology with long-term goals to become a pediatrician.

Savannah State golfer, Cedomir Ilic attended the 2010 World Amateur Team Championship in Ar-

gentina. The event took place at Buenos Aires Golf Club in Argentina, October 24-31. Head golf

coach Art Gelow said “We are extremely proud of Cedomir for representing his country in the World

Amateur Team Championships,” Having a SSU golf team member play on the world stage is an in-

dication of the quality type athlete we are bringing to the Savannah State Campus.” Cedomir was

part of the 2010 Serbian National Golf team and representative of the Golf Association of Serbia,

along with two others from Serbia. Cedomir is pursuing a degree in business.

Eighty-five Savannah State student-athletes have earned academic honors for the 2010 fall semes-

ter. Fifty-six student-athletes made the honor roll, twenty-two made the dean’s list and seven made

the president’s list. Three of these young scholars were international students! Sandra Kristjans-

dottir (tennis) was on the President’s list for having a 4.0 grade point average, Amara Jones (track)

was on the Dean’s and Cedomir Llic (golf) made the honor roll

J’Aaron Merchant, Junior, Visual Arts major from U.S. Virgin Islands participated in her first art

exhibition held in January at the Sentient Bean Coffee Shop in Savannah, Georgia. Ms. Merchant

was awarded “Best in Show” for outstanding contributions to the exhibit.

International Students Making News…..

Our International Student Population Continues to Grow

Volume 1, Issue Page 2

The American Council on Education (ACE) recently named Savannah State University as one of the seven

institutions nationwide to participate in a new project, Creating Global Citizens: Exploring Internationaliza-

tion at HBCU’s. The project is partially supported by the U.S. Department of Education and as part of the

project, Savannah State will develop a strategic plan to advance its internationalization efforts. Dr. Emman-

uel Naniuzeyi, Director of the International Education Center and Homeland Security Professor, Terri Clay

will lead this effort. Over the next year our faculty, staff and students will embark on a process that will

help us assess our strengths and weaknesses as they relate to internationalization issues campus wide. In

early March of this year, staff from ACE will visit our campus to help us launch this project. They will meet

with the internationalization team, the President, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Deans, students and

faculty groups.

ACE will provide on-going support to help us set institutional goals and formulate a plan for engaging cam-

pus wide conversations about internationalization. We will be expected to examine our strategies identified

to achieve institutional goals. This will involve collecting and analyzing information from across campus in

order to identify and address the specific needs on campus.

Ultimately, the team will write a report of our results which will be used to develop s data informed strate-

gic internationalization plan. By the time the project comes to an end information collected will be shared

nationally at the HBCU Internationalization Institute at the national meeting held in the Spring of 2013. If

you are interested in becoming a part of the internationalization team please contact Dr. Naniuzeyi.

Page 3 Volume 1, Issue 1

Savannah State University was recently selected to be part of the American Council on

Education’s new project, Creating Global Citizens: Exploring Internationalization at HBCUs.

The first International Student Association meeting of the New Year was held January 13th. There are many

plans being laid out for this to a very active semester. The ISA is planning to hold an International Student

Recognition night in early February to honor and recognize our many international students who have been out-

standing scholars, athletes, or artists. A Welcome and Appreciation Event is scheduled for February 3rd and will

give current international students a chance to meet our new international students, as well as new members of

the ISA. The group is beginning to compile a recipe book that will contain the recipes of many of our interna-

tional student’s favorite foods. They hope to sell the books to raise money for the organization.

In April the group is planning International Student Week and if history tells us anything we can be assured this

event will shine a bright light on our campus as the students hold a Flag Raising Ceremony in the King Frazier

Student Center. If you have been in the student center you certainly have noticed the display of flags from vari-

ous countries hung from the ceiling. These flags are there to let the community know the diversity that is pre-

sent on our campus. And now it is time to update the flags so that our international student population is accu-

rately reflected. That week will also bring activities like Music Without Borders, a Taste of the World and the

election of Miss ISA.

The International Student Association (ISA) Has A Busy

Semester Ahead

Page 4 Volume 1, Issue 1

Study Abroad Students address the Savannah Council on World Affairs

Ms. Britney Reese and Mr. Gabriel Horton (pictured below), two recipients of the study abroad scholarships

from the Savannah Council on World Affairs, made brief presentations on their study abroad experiences

respectively in Trinidad and Tobago and China. Both students expressed their gratitude to the members of

the Council whose generosity allowed them to make their first trip abroad. The students shared with the

members how their lives have been transformed as a result of this unforgettable experience. The Council

has promised two more scholarships for two students for this upcoming summer.

Savannah State University to host the 15th annual Southeast Model African Union

The African Council of the University System of Georgia has selected Savannah State University as the in-

stitution that will host the 15th annual Southeast Model African Union. This Model African Union was creat-

ed to expose students from the 35 institutions of the USG and students from other US institutions to African

Affairs. The previous institutions that hosted this conference include Kennesaw State University, Georgia

Southern University, Columbus State University, Georgia College and State University etc. A committee

chaired by Dr. Naniuzeyi has been created to lay the ground work for this conference that will attract about

200 students to our beautiful campus. The Ambassadors of Egypt and Ethiopia will be our guests at the con-

ference. For two days, participants will engage in debates on various complex issues affecting the African

continent. The main goal of the Conference is to allow students to propose concrete solutions to problems

that affect African countries. In addition to this intellectual exercise, participants will enjoy a series of social

events that include entertainment by an artist musician from Cameroon, dance performance by a folklore

group, a cruise dinner, a reception for the ambassadors, and an “Africa Night” which is a party for the dele-

gates.

Model United Nations Students leaving for Singapore

In March 2011, eight Model UN students will be traveling to Singapore 2011 to represent SSU at the 19th

annual Harvard World Model United Nations. The students have been assigned to represent the country of

Libya in the debates that will take place in various committees. The students were selected from a pool of

about 30 Model UN students who are the official members of the organization. Due to financial con-

straints, only 8 students will be able to travel to Singapore. Some of the members of the Model UN organi-zation participated in the 14th annual Southeast Model African Union held at Augusta State University the

first week of November. Other members participated in the Southern Regional Model United Nations held

in Atlanta, Georgia. In mid-November, several awards were won by our students in Atlanta.

Volume 1, Issue Page 5

The global initiatives of SSU faculty and Staff

Several faculty members are currently involved in various activities that enhance the global competence of our

students. Responding to an email sent to all faculty, the following professors submitted statements about their

international activities:

Behrooz Kalantari brings to SSU The Global Harmony Radio Program (WHCJ 990.3 FM) This program’s

main objective is to build bridges among different cultures around the world in order to bring the people of the

world together. The participants provide a short introduction about themselves and then talk about general

aspects of their countries of origin including the size, population, geography, political history…etc. The host

asks questions on their experiences with the American culture and how the United States is different from

their countries of origin. He is also a member of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Savannah.

This Committee’s main goal is to relate to the international community in Savannah and to provide different

services to them including the following: a language bank, citizenship classes and training in International

Humanitarian Law.

Peggy Blood promoted international exhibitions throughout 2010 and has been engaged in team teaching

with faculty from foreign countries since 2000. She has also partnered in research for journal articles in 2010.

Dr. Blood has experiences with the following countries: Russia, China, Ghana, Caribbean, Liberia, Nigeria

and Turley.

Deden Rukmana is an internationally recognized expert in international development and planning. His

works particularly on Indonesia have been recognized by fellowships from the Global Planning Educators In-

terest Group, the Journal of Southeast Asian Studies, the Journal of Pacific Affairs and the Journal of Plan-

ning Education and Research and the Planning Theory. The government of Indonesia has invited Dr.

Rukmana to the International Summit that will be held on December 16-18, 2010 in Jakarta. The event aims

at improving the networks among Indonesian scholars around the world. Dr. Rukmana is currently working

on urban informality in Indonesian cities with his colleague from the University of Atmajaya, Indonesia and

on the politics of capital relocation in African countries with Dr. Benn Bongang, his colleague in the Depart-

ment of Political Science and Public Affairs at Savannah State University.

Rose Metts, experienced her first study abroad course last summer. She started on campus to prepare for the

trip and then proceeded to visit two cities in China during a three-week period. Before going, she had contact

with (Shanghai Normal University) professors who had visited and taught at Savannah State University. Dr.

Metts has encouraged students to study abroad by showing her power-point presentation to individuals, clas-

ses, with the ultimate plan to recruit students for another trip in 2011. She participated in Freshman Orien-

tation (Fall 2010) and “Stir It Up” radio show with her students as she shared the benefits of study abroad.

Shinaz Jindani facilitated a two week experience in Costa Rica for social work students, which included a

Espanola language immersion class with Social Work jargon (e.g. Familia, investigation) visits to social wel-

fare agencies that cater to various populations (e.g. Agency that serves women who experience domestic vio-

lence, PANI = DFCS, home for children, home for elderly, school social work, adult day care etc). SSU students

live with host families and make cultural adjustments in their living environment, using ethnography re-

search model they gather data about their own experiences in living without technology, cell phones, no hot

water, water that runs on a thin line, walk everywhere, no cars, eat organic food etc. They also understand

the role of mezzo systems such as church that serves as all-encompassing community base. Students learn

about new methods of social welfare delivery and new ways of solving poverty and fostering sustainable devel-

opment.

In addition, Dr. Deloach, Professors Harris, Walker, and Wise-Wilkerson, as well as Dr. Metts are cur-

rently recruiting students for the study abroad in Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil, Ghana, and China.

Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 6

New International Faculty

Savannah State University and the International Education Center welcomes Dr. Paromita Charkraborty

from the City University of Hong Kong. Dr. Chakraborty has been appointed by President Yarbrough as a

temporary Post Doctoral Research Associate in the Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.

Research opportunities for SSU STEM students in China and Malaysia

In December 2010, a delegation of SSU faculty, led by Dr. Chellu Chetty, traveled to China and Malaysia for a

series of meetings at Tianjin University, Shanghai Normal University, and the Putra University of Malaysia.

The purpose of the trip was to lay the ground work for SSU STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and

Mathematics) students who will be conducting research under the supervision of scientists from Malaysia and

China. This project is the result of the NSF grant awarded to SSU through the office of Sponsored Research.

With this grant, every summer, starting in 2012, 30 STEM students will be conducting research in China and

Malaysia on various issues. The objective of this initiative is to provide SSU students with international re-

search experiences and to establish long-term international research collaborations between these universi-

ties and SSU. Administrators and faculty from SSU travelled to these countries in December 2010 to sign the

Memorandum Of Understandings (MOUs).

Dr. Naniuzeyi with Dr. Gan Ziaoqing,

President of Jinjuang University From left to right: Mr. Samuel Shuai, Director of

the International Office, Dr. Gan Ziaoqing, and

Dr. Naniuzeyi

Dr. Naniuzeyi with Mr. Shuai