Colleagues:

After being suspended last year due to budgetary concerns, the Provost’s Global Scholars Program is once again taking nominations for summer, 2010. The program is following a different format this year, so if you are interested in applying please read the announcement below carefully. Questions can be directed to me or to Jim Scott in the International Center, scottj@missouri.edu. The program this year will be in Brussels, Belgium from 10-19 June, 2010 and will be led by Fritz Cropp from the School of Journalism and Director of the MU Transatlantic Center. The goal this year is to expand faculty involvement in international relationships and foster new partnerships and collaboration between MU and Brussels. One change this year is that applicants should submit a plan of work and should identify possible collaborators in Brussels. The trip is paid for by the provost in partnership with academic units sending representative, so yes, it is free for applicants.

Below is the application process for MU Libraries and the original announcement. Interested parties should have their application to Jim no later than 29 January 2010. Please contact me if you have any questions, and good luck!

Amanda K. Sprochi
(573) 882-0461
sprochia@health.missouri.edu

Global Scholars Program: Archivists/Librarian application information
In order to apply, please submit the following items:
1. A copy of your current resume.
2. A statement from your supervisor assuring support of your application.
3. A written statement (no longer than one page) addressing the following:
a) Your present role with students, faculty, and staff;
b) Your commitment to assist students, faculty, and staff expand their knowledge of international
information resources and promote international affairs to the wider university community;
c) Your willingness to participate in Global Scholars activities, such as a follow-up workshop;
d) Your willingness to participate in the international faculty mentoring corps in the next academic year;
e) Your interest and ability to assist faculty Global Scholars as they revise their courses with
international content; and
f) Your interest in international library materials and services.
4. A brief (1-2 pages) one year plan of work to pursue program objectives by June 19, 2010. Plans should identify potential collaborator(s) from one or more Belgian university. They should describe expected outcomes and proposed action steps to complete this work. Scholars should submit their plans to their Dean/Director and to the Director of the International Center, Global Scholars Program Manager.

Call for Deans’ Nominations – Global Scholars Program (GSP)
Summer 2010

Nomination Deadline: February 15, 2010

The MU Council on International Initiatives (CII) is pleased to announce the eleventh year of the Global Scholars Program (GSP). This nationally recognized program is designed to support MU faculty members who seek to internationalize their teaching and research. Since its inception, over 100 faculty members across Colleges and Schools have participated. As a result, dozens of courses have been modified – enhancing the learning experience of thousands of MU students each year. In 2002, the Global Scholars Program received the Andrew Heiskell Award for Best Practices and Innovation in International Education from the Institute of International Education.

In January 2009, Global Scholars was suspended, due to campus-wide travel restrictions. This year, the program will be restarted – focused on clear, measurable program objectives.

The program is now designed to: 1) expand faculty involvement in MU’s strategic international relationships; and 2) foster tangible new international collaborations for participants, including research grants or papers and/or teaching innovations.

Brussels: Opportunities for Research and Teaching in Europe’s Capitol
June 10-19, 2010

To these ends, CII has organized an excellent itinerary to the city and environs of Brussels. The program will be led by MU Associate Professor Fritz Cropp (Director of International Programs at the School of Journalism, and Director of the MU Transatlantic Center).

This seminar will introduce selected MU faculty members to key institutions in Europe’s Capitol, inform them on higher education systems in Belgium and Europe, and provide opportunities to interact with potential research or teaching collaborators at four outstanding universities in the region.

This location was selected for the following reasons:

• Brussels is the Capitol of the European Union. The European Union is the most ambitious regional governance project in modern times. It now includes 27 countries, with approximately 500 million residents. It is the world’s largest economic market. Brussels is Europe’s main government center, including the European Parliament and Commission, NATO Headquarters, UN agencies, a global diplomatic corps, and major facilities for most Fortune 100 Corporations.
• Transatlantic Economy. Despite our nation’s current fascination with China and India, the European Union remains, by far, our most important economic connection. $1 billion flows per day in EU-US trade and investment. Approximately 40% of the value of annual world trade occurs between US and EU.
• Missouri ties. Each year, more than 70% of Foreign Direct Investment in Missouri — $12.5 billion in 2008 – comes from the European Union. That investment supports about 61,000 jobs in Missouri. In the same year, Missouri exported $2.2 billion of goods and services to EU members – approximately 17% of our total export sales. These critical economic flows are regulated by political decisions taken in Brussels. With these economic ties at stake, MU faculty and students and Missouri leaders should know more about its institutions and culture.

• Strong MU student interest. Many MU students want to know more about Europe. Since 2001, participation in MU Study Abroad has nearly tripled. Last year, more than 900 MU students – 70 percent of our study abroad participants – studied in Europe. In 2008, the School of Journalism opened a new study abroad and internship program. Since then, over 100 Journalism students have enrolled, and rate the program highly.

• Institutional Relationships. University of Missouri is building strong collaborations with several Belgian institutions of higher education, including the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Ghent University, the Université Libre de Bruxelles, and the University of Liege. Very few American universities have strong ties to such peer institutions. At the same time, new incentives and funding are available to collaborate in research and teaching[1].

• Common Partners. MU colleges have established deep, historic collaborations with institutions throughout the world, including China and Africa. Belgian universities have research competencies, institutional relationships and external funding streams that complement Missouri’s international programs. The Global Scholars seminar in Brussels is designed to foster new collaborations that strengthen and extend our strategic relationships beyond Europe.

Program Funding

Deans are encouraged to select faculty participants that are able and willing to contribute to Global Scholars Program objectives.

The Provost requests that funding not be awarded to persons who have received GSP funding in previous years.

Performance Criteria for Global Scholars Faculty:

1. Global scholars agree to participate in all scheduled program activities, including two brief pre-departure orientation sessions.
2. Scholars submit a brief (1-2 pages) one year plan of work to pursue program objectives by June 19, 2010. Plans should identify potential collaborator(s) from one or more Belgian university. They should describe expected outcomes and proposed action steps to complete this work. Scholars should submit their plans to their Dean/Director and to the Director of the International Center, Global Scholars Program Manager.
3. Scholars provide a brief report on action steps taken and revisions in expected outcomes from original plans of work. Progress reports are due by November 1, 2010.

For more information, please review the Global Scholars Program web page. We hope you can take advantage of this excellent opportunity.