Confucius Institute, Education Abroad Launch New China Seminar Grant

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 23, 2016) — In collaboration with University of Kentucky Education Abroad, the UK Confucius Institute will provide annual funding to support the development and implementation of a summer, UK faculty-directed education abroad program in China.

The program should be at least four weeks long and prominently feature some form of high-impact educational programming, such as undergraduate research or service-learning. Program proposals should leverage UK’s existing strengths and partnerships in China (i.e., Fudan University, East China Normal University, etc.).

"The idea of the Confucius Institute working with Education Abroad is brilliant and innovative," said Huajing Maske, director of the UK Confucius Institute and executive director of the Office of China Initiatives. "We are leading among our peers in benchmark universities by working together to leverage our resources and synergy, broadening and developing new programs for UK and its Chinese partners. We hope that these high-impact programs will play a significant role in enhancing learning and teaching on the UK campus and in China."

All travel and program development must be completed by the start of the academic year in which the program is to be offered (i.e., September for a summer program) and should intend to enroll approximately 10-12 students. Faculty members must be serving in a representative capacity of their academic unit.

"We’re delighted to partner with the UK Confucius Institute to develop another Education Abroad program in China, especially those programs that embed high-impact experiences," said Anthony Ogden, executive director of UK Education Abroad and Exchanges. "We’re confident that when we embed high-impact experiences in education abroad, student learning and development are enhanced."

The grant provides two-fold support. UK Education Abroad will provide a $2,500 program development grant to support the UK faculty member or instructor to travel to China for the purpose of establishing the proposed program. UK Confucius Institute will provide $14,000 toward the total cost of the program to lower the program fee assessed to participants.

Requirements

• Applications will only be considered for new and credit-bearing programming. Previous recipients or existing programs are not automatically excluded. 
• Applications should be for new, China-based programs of at least four weeks in duration that prominently feature some form of high-impact educational programming. Only summer, stand-alone programs are eligible.
• Applications must be supported by a letter from the appropriate college dean or department head explaining how the project contributes to the international goals of the strategic plan of the college/unit. Matching funds are not required, but are encouraged.

Proposals will be evaluated based on different criteria including, but not limited to:

• overall viability, academic need and sustainability of the proposed education abroad program;
• degree to which the proposed program will promote global competency and/or have a positive impact on the overall internationalization of UK; and
• extent to which the proposed program promotes the UK International Center’s goals for diversifying education abroad programming.

To read the complete evaluation criteria and other details, download the application form here.

A selection committee will evaluate all applications and make a recommendation to the Education Abroad Committee of the International Advisory Council for final determination within four to six weeks of the application deadline.

Deadline to submit proposals for summer 2017 programs is 5 p.m., May 1. Deadline to submit proposals for summer 2018 programs is 5 p.m., Nov. 1.

Questions, applications and supporting materials should be sent to Huajing Maske via email at huajing.maske@uky.edu. Faculty members are encouraged to discuss potential program ideas with UK Education Abroad prior to submission.

A gateway for Chinese language, culture and art to the people of Kentucky, UK Confucius Institute provides leadership, support and coordination for Chinese language and programs in K-12 schools as well as on UK's campus; assists and facilitates establishing and maintaining faculty and student exchanges between UK colleges and Chinese universities; conducts Chinese language and cultural exchange; and promotes education about China on campus, across the Bluegrass region, and throughout the Commonwealth. To keep up with UK Confucius Institute and future events, join the institute's listerv and follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat (UKConfucius).

UK is the University for Kentucky. At UK, we are educating more students, treating more patients with complex illnesses and conducting more research and service than at any time in our 150-year history. To read more about the UK story and how you can support continued investment in your university and the Commonwealth, go to: uky.edu/uk4ky. #uk4ky #seeblue

MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Hale, 859-257-8716; whitney.hale@uky.edu