Project Updates

On February 3, 2009, Daniela Munca (Moldova), Muskie 06 alumna, introduced more than 25 university teachers from Balti to the concept of collaborative online learning and teaching. The presentation focused on the benefits of online collaborative classrooms and the power of technology in finding partnerships around the world for a more motivating, updated and interactive learning experience.

As part of her Community Service, Sabina Gulmaliyeva (Azerbaijan), a 2008 Law fellow at University of Miami, volunteered at HOPE (Helping Others Through Pro Bono Efforts) Public Interest Resource Center at the University’s Law School.  HOPE provides a variety of projects reaching various underserved and at-risk populations locally, nationally and abroad. During the Fall semester, Sabina discussed various projects within HOPE with its supervisor and enrolled in the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance/Tax Counseling for the Elderly Program (VITA/TCE).

Maria Kabalyk, a 2007 fellow from Russia, studies economics at Oregon State University.  Last October, Maria was elected President of the university’s European Student Association and she took charge of organizing the Association’s 15th annual “European Night”.  The theme of the evening was Breaking the Walls, commemorating the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.  The formal event featured a five-course meal with different European cuisines, and international students provided a variety of entertainment, i

Kansas State 08 Business fellows Elena Pripisnova (Russia) and Tatevik Avagyan (Armenia) spent one day participating in sessions at the local Senate and House in Topeka, Kansas.  Elena writes, “We were introduced to Governor Kathleen Sebelius (just several weeks before she was picked as Secretary of Health and Human Services by Obama) and the chairman of the Senate, as well as other senators, when session was opened. It was an incredibly interesting experience, even though it happened at a difficult time in the budget discussion.

For the first time ever, the newspaper Profsoyuznye Vesty in Transnistria, Moldova is reaching out to the public for their ideas in an effort to both better serve its readers and expand its subscription base. As part of its “To master information means to know” project, newspaper employees traveled to five cities to meet with readers from the left bank of the Dniester River and get their feedback about the paper.

A spring break internship with the University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents helped Saida Akbarova, a 2008 Muskie fellow, understand how the Board and its departments function. “Meeting the great people of the University System of Georgia has broadened my perspectives on the work done by administrators who make changes to improve the quality of teaching and learning,” Saida commented. “Hopefully one day, I will be able to implement most of the progressive ideas and innovative programs for our educators in Uzbekistan.”

Seda Murtazalieva, a 2008 Muskie fellow from Russia, was recently featured in Eastern Washington University’s campus paper, The Easterner. “As one of the best Masters in Public Administration (MPA) students, Seda is a true asset to our university and the MPA program,” said Olga Baron, International Projects Manager at EWU. Click here to read the full story.

Margarita Tadevosyan, a 2008 Muskie fellow from Armenia, was selected to receive a prestigious Distinguished Student Award from the George Mason University (GMU) School of Public Policy Alumni Chapter. The Distinguished Student Award is presented annually to one or two students in the School of Public Policy based on their academic performance, community service, extracurricular activities and faculty recommendations. Margarita’s award was presented following a keynote speech by former Congressman Tom Davis on March 27.

Roman Yasmonytskyy may not know a lot about wigs or artisan chocolates, but he does know how to start a business and create a strong online presence. Roman, a 2008 Muskie fellow and MBA student from Ukraine, volunteered these skills at the Syracuse Entrepreneur’s Bootcamp, a six-weekend-long program designed to benefit and support local entrepreneurs by leveraging the experience and expertise of the Whitman School of Management’s faculty and students.

Ainur Nurtay, a 2007 Muskie fellow from Kazakhstan, has been named Young Nonprofit Professional of the Month by the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Greater Grand Rapids.