Belaynesh Zevadia, Deputy Consul General of Israel, Discusses Programs with the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences and DASNR (January 2007)
Dr. Jim Stiegler of the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences arranged a visit to OSU by Belaynesh Zevadia, the Deputy consul General of Israel, on January 8th. Dr. Stielger visited Israel with a group of Oklahoma agribusinesses a few years ago, and has been active in promoting relationships between Oklahoma agriculture and Israel. Belaynesh Zevadia assumed her duties in August 2005 as Deputy Consul General of Israel to the Southwest, based in Houston. Born in the Ambovar village in the Gondar region of Ethiopia, she immigrated to Israel in 1984. Deputy Consul General Zevadia joined Israel’s Foreign Ministry in 1993, becoming the first Ethiopian woman in the Israeli Diplomatic Service. She previously served as Consul of Israel to the Midwest ( Chicago) from 1996 until 2002. While serving in Chicago, Zevadia was awarded the prestigious Kizze Prize for being a positive role model, and was also honored with the Black History Month’s plaque for contributions towards race relations. Prior to her most recent appointment as Deputy Consul General, Belaynesh Zevadia served as a Counselor in the Religious Affairs Bureau at the Israeli Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem. She also served briefly in the Israeli Delegation to the United Nations. Zevadia earned her BA in International Relations and African Studies, and her MA in Anthropology and African Studies from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. She is married, and has a daughter.
OSU's Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Collaborates with Texas A&M as an Affiliated Institution On the "Iraq Agricultural Extension Revitalization Project" (December 2006)
The Team Aggie Consortium, led by Texas A&M and including Oklahoma State University as an associating institution, has been awarded the “Iraq Agricultural Extension Revitalization Project (IAER)”. USDA requested proposals from U.S. land-grant institutions to strengthen agricultural extension and training at Iraqi agricultural universities. USDA is providing USDA staff as needed in Iraq and is working to develop agricultural credit training there. According to USDA Secretary Johanns: "Because much of Iraq's population relies on agriculture for their livelihood, the country's stability partially depends upon the agricultural sector's performance. A strong extension system that responds to the needs of farmers, processors, marketers and others in agriculture is a key element of recovery." The Iraq Agricultural Extension Revitalization Project (IAER) will provide extension training programs for Iraqi nationals. The training will enhance the agricultural management, production and marketing related to small and medium-sized production enterprises. The effort was launched on Aug. 1, when Johanns and Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Salamm Zukam Ali Al-Zawba'i signed a joint statement of intent in Baghdad. Training will be provided through partnerships built between the Team Aggie Consortium and Iraqi agricultural universities in each of five governorates of Iraq. The project goal is to build strong institution-to-institution partnerships to link American expertise in extension training and advisory services with agricultural colleges in Iraq and with Ministry of Agriculture personnel. Among the areas the institutions may address are arid crop production development, livestock production and animal health, and water resources management and irrigation technology. Through this project, USDA and Team Aggie hope to assist in restoring and expanding a sustainable agriculture sector in Iraq that includes an effective extension service based on education and research. Priority activities will include training of extension specialists; long-term degree training; development of distance learning methods and instructional materials for train-the-trainer extension programs; and field trials, demonstration plots and lab methods for adoption by Iraqi farmers.
Dr. Salim Hiziroglu On International Sabbatical in Turkey and Japan (December 2006)
Dr. Salim Hiziroglu of DASNR went to Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, Japan in October and November 2006 under a fellowship from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS). He gave eight presentations related to wood products and wood composite research at Shizuoka University, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute (FFPRI) in Tsukuba, and two wood based panels symposia held in Tokyo. He also carried out a brief experimental research project to evaluate surface quality of Japanese wood composite panels with Dr. Shigehiko Suzuki, host professor at Shizuoka University.
Dr. Hiziroglu at the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute (FFPRI) in Tsukuba
Dr. Hiziroglu With research officers at the FFPRI in Tsukuba
Some of the participants at Wood-Based Symposium held in
Dr. Hiziroglu With Dr. Shigeiko Suzuki,
Dr. Salim Hiziroglu spent August and September, 2006 at the Department of Forest Products Engineering, Karadeniz Technical University (KTU), in Trabzon, Turkey during part of his one-year sabbatical leave. He gave six presentations related wood composite research and advised research projects of graduate students during his stay at KTU. His visit to KTU was funded by the Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey.
Sam Fuhlendorf Featrued in Stillwater News Press for Range Management Work in Africa (December 2006)
DASNR's Sam Fuhlendorf was featrued in the Stillwater News Press for his work in Africa this summer. Fuhlendorf was a keynote speaker at the Grassland Society of Southern Africa's 2006 conference held in July. Fuhlendorf has been working to increase the public's awareness of the role that fire plays in retaining rangelands. OSU has a 20 year history of studying fire ecology. The Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources is a leader in promoting the repsonsible use of fire as a range management tool. As Dr. Fuhlendorf's work in Africa illustrates, OSU is internationally recognized in this field.
Click here to read the News Press feature story on Dr. Fuhlendorf.
College of Ag Student, Kaushal Maskey of Entomology, Named Mr. International at OSU (November 2007)
Eight contestants from around the world competed in three categories at the International Student Organization’s 18th Mr. and Miss International pageant.
Kaushal Maskey and Loretta Ejakpomewhe were crowned Mr. and Miss International.
“We hold this event to put a face on ISO; this is how we find the best faces,” said Cassondra Walker, ISO vice president.
The pageant took place in the Student Union Theater, which was decorated in an ancient Egyptian theme. The competition included a traditional fashion show, talent show and a question and answer round.
Maskey, from Nepal, and Ejakpomewhe, from Nigeria, will serve as ISO representatives. Genipha Backolou, ISO president, said winners portray OSU’s entire international population.
The pageant began when contestants entered the stage and performed a coordinated dance in their cultural attire. The background was a pyramid surrounded by palm trees. Next came the talent session with a wide range of events.
The talent ranged from cultural dances from contestants’ home countries to a trilingual Japanese woman, Megumi Komiya, who sang Christina Aguilera’s “Genie in a Bottle” completely in Spanish. Other talents included Mohammad Atif Zafar of Pakistan and his glow sticking.
The fans for the contestants were enthusiastic. The crowd often drowned out the hosts’ voices. Fans held up and waved flags of their countries when their friends came on stage. While the judges were deliberating their final decisions, the crowd in the small theater began to do the “wave” to pass time.
Other award recipients were runners-up, Zafar and Tesa Devina of Indonesia. Maskey, the new Mr. International, also received the Mr. Congeniality award while Vrushali Yewle, India, took Miss Congeniality.
The night also contained guest performers that included the Stillwater High School orchestra and AfroDziak. AfroDziak is group of African students that perform cultural dances.
Maskey said he was excited at the opportunity to be Mr. International. He hopes to educate people and bring some publicity to the Nepalese country. Ejakpomewhe was also excited about her opportunity.
“It feels so great to win, I worked so hard, and just want to thank all my friends at ISO,” Ejakpomewhe said.
Maskey is an entomology major and Ejakpomewhe an electrical engineering major. Maskey provided the audience with a song played on his guitar while he sang. Miss International provided the audiences with three different dances, a Nigerian dance, a South African dance and a can dance.
After the judges returned and the awards were handed out, the crowd rushed on stage to congratulate friends and get picture opportunities.
Source:Ross Moran
Contributing Writer
Daily O'Colly
OSU holds Videoconference for Recruiting with UPAEP in Puebla, Mexico (November 2006)
Oklahoma State University held a video conference with UPAEP in Puebla, Mexico to encourage their students to apply to graduate schools in the United States (and to OSU in particular). Luis Burciaga Robles of the Animal Science department was on hand to share his perspective on the process of becoming an international Student in the US. Dr. Rodolfo Carvajal, the Director of International Programs at UPAEP and Dr. David Henneberry, Director of International Ag Programs at OSU, provided an institutional perspective. Dr. David Lewis of the Department of Forestry, DASNR Coordinator of Ag Programs with UPAEP, and Lupita Fabregaas, UPAEP representative at OSU and Dr. Adele Tongco of International Ag Programs also addressed the group. UPAEP had over 30 students and 4 faculty viewing this teleconference presentation. Thanks to all who participated!
The teleconference was held in a conference room in the Wes Watkins Center.
UPAEP students viewed the presentation at one of their modern, video classrooms.
Happy Halloween from DASNR! (October 2006)
Deana Titus, from the Plant and Soil Sciences Department, gets in the Halloween spirit in Ag Hall. This uniquely American experience is one of many our international students experience during their stay at Oklahoma State University.
DASNR Reception for International Students A Success (October 2006)
The DASNR International Student Reception was attended by over 100 people, including faculty, staff and international students. Remarks were provided by Vice-President for Agriculture Robert Whitson, Vice-President for Institutional Diversity Cornell Thomas, Assistant Dean of the College of Agriculture Linda Martin, Director of International Student Services Tim Huff and the President of the International Student Organization Ms. Genipha Backoulou.
Dr. Robert Whitson, OSU's Vice-President for Agriculture, was the keynote speaker.
Dr. Cornell Thomas (left), OSU's
Vice-President for Institutional Diversity attended the reception.
CASNR's International Students enjoy the reception!
Vice-President Whitson discussing international students with Dr. Gerald Horn of the Animal Science Department.
Paid International Internships With FAS/USDA (October 2006)
PAID INTERNATIONAL INTERNSHIPS WITH THE FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL SERVICE IN USDA. FAS/USDA is looking for a few outstanding senior and graduate level college and university students to work in our OVERSEAS offices to promote U.S. agricultural interests through the International Agricultural Internship Program (IAIP) for SUMMER 2007. The USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service, one of the four U.S. government foreign service agencies, places about 10 students for each semester (fall, spring and summer) with excellent analysis, marketing, writing, language and organizational skills and experience to work on international agricultural trade policy issues, commodity and market analysis and organizing trade events in our overseas offices for a 10-16 week PAID INTERNSHIP. U.S. citizen students who are majoring in a business or science related agricultural field, i.e. Ag Econ, Econ, Finance, Business or Marketing, International Studies or Relations, Law or in a Biotechnology Program are eligible. Online registration for the summer semester closes December 15, 2006 . The fall 2007 application deadline is April 3, 2007 and the spring 2008 application deadline is August 18, 2007. Please reply to internships@fas.usda.gov. For more information about FAS internship programs, please click on
http://www.fas.usda.gov/admin/newjobs/newjobs.html
Mr. Edson Ali of Mozambique Studying Agriculture at Oklahoma State University (October 2006)
Mr. Edson Ali, of Mozambique, is studying Farm and Ranch Management at Oklahoma State University in order to prepare himself for a future career in the agricultural development of Mozambique. Mr. Ali is a unique individual on the Oklahoma State University campus because he is an undergraduate student in agriculture from Africa. Mr. Ali is 
a native of Mozambique, and is following in his sister's footsteps by attending the university in the State of Oklahoma. The Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources is celebrating the presence of international students on campus with a reception to be held on Friday October 27th at 4:30 pm in the Atrium of the Noble Research Center. Please stop by to mingle and meet our international students of agriculture at the reception! Edson will be there along with many other bright and talented international students of agriculture.
Salsa Ball 2006 Receives sponsorship from the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (October 2006)
The OSU Latin Dancing and Cultural Club is holding a Salsa Ball on November 4th, 2006 in the Student Union Ball Room. DASNR has agreed to be a silver sponsor of this event, helping to make possible the cultural interaction that this activity provides. Each year, hundreds of guests from across Oklahoma and nearby states visit the OSU campus for this event. It is organized by students and a live band is engaged for the event. Those interested in learning more or helping to promote this event may call Chris Wright at 332-2352.
New International Grants and Contracts Received by the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (October 2006)
The Department of Agricultural Education has begun the implementation of "From East to West: An Experiental Graduate Agricultural Education Program for Chiang Mai University" Funded by Chiang Mai University.
A consortium consisting of OSU-Okmulgee, OSU-Stillwater, Oklahoma Career Tech, the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville, Universidade Estatal Paulista in Sao Paolo Brazil, Londrina State UNiversity in Parana, John Deere Ag Management Solutions and Muscogee Breek Nation has received a project titled "Consortium for International Advancement and Achievement: Global Bio-Energy Knowledge Exchange" in Brazil. Funded by FIPSE.
Dr. Shida Henneberry Receives "International Faculty Excellence Award" at Oklahoma State University (October 2006)
Dr. Henneberry has a distinguished record of teaching, research, and service in the area of international trade and applied global agricultural studies over her 22 year career at Oklahoma State University. During the last three years, as a professor of agricultural economics and faculty member of the School of International Studies, Dr. Henneberry has made a significant positive contribution to international education through her classes taught at OSU and abroad, and through her advising efforts. During the past three years, Dr. Henneberry has taught courses in international trade policy and development at OSU and in Mexico, China, and Thailand; served as faculty advisor to a dorm floor with many international students; served on committees related to instruction and research affecting international students; led a USDA/China Ministry of Agriculture scientific exchange collaboration team and led a successful study abroad course to China. She has obtained grants, conducted research, has published in the area of international agricultural trade policy and global market development, and has been invited to give lectures by international organizations. Congratulations to Dr. Henneberry.
Oklahoma Farm Bureau Sponsors Tour of Oklahoma Agriculture for OSU's International Students (October 2006)
The Oklahoma Farm Bureau has continued its sponsorship of the "Oklahoma
Agriculture Tour for International Students" with a very successful tour in October 2006. This tour provides an opportunity for international students at OSU to learn more about agricultural production and processing in Oklahoma. It is coordinated by the Office of International Students and Scholars at OSU in coordination with the Oklahoma Farm Bureau. This year, Karen Sebring from the Office of International Students and Scholars and Adele Tongco from International Ag Programs accompanied the group during the 2 day tour. Click here to see photos of the tour from the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Website.
24 Doctoral Candidates from Maejo University in Thailand Complete Training Program at Oklahoma State University's Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (October 2006)
The group, led by President Thep Phongparnich of Maejo University, is shown in the photo above at OSU-Okmulgee during the second day of their visit. Click here to learn more about this training program.
Above, the Maejo Cowboys from Thailand mix with the OSU Cowboys!
DASNR Plans Reception for International Students (October 2006)
