Public Affairs and Planning Faculty Receives Study Abroad Development Grant
The Office of International Education (OIE) awarded Dr. Jiwon Suh and Dr. Tongbin Qu "Faculty-Led Study Abroad Program Development Grants" intended for Summer 2024. Their innovative proposals offer a life-changing and enriching outlet for students looking to expand their knowledge of public affairs and sustainability issues.
Dr. Suh's proposal, "Digital Government and Smart City in the Era of Advanced Technology and A.I: Field Study in South Korea," aims to create a unique study abroad program to explore the intersection of public policy and administration with the latest technological advances. This program aims to help students understand how governments use technology to make better decisions and improve public service performance. Dr. Suh's choice of South Korea, a global leader in advanced technology and Information and Communication Technology (ICT), makes this program even more enticing. The grant funding will enable her to visit critical program venues, including universities, government offices, and field visit sites.
In addition, Dr. Qu's proposal, "Sustainable and Climate Resilient Communities in Taiwan," will allow students to learn about sustainable development issues and climate actions in Taiwan, focusing on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations. The program will provide students with insights into state-of-the-art technologies in the transportation, food, and buildings sectors while investigating the interdependent 3Es of sustainability: Economy, Environment, and Social Equity. Taiwan's commitment to achieving a net-zero carbon emission target by 2050 makes it an ideal location for studying unique approaches to sustainability and climate resilience. Dr. Qu plans to use the grants to travel to Taiwan to meet with collaborating faculty members at National Taiwan University and set up the study abroad program, which is expected to launch in the summer of 2025.
These initiatives reflect the department's dedication to providing students with a transformative learning experience. The two study abroad programs offer a unique platform to learn from experts, work with government agencies, and gain invaluable insights into the latest advances in technology and sustainability issues.
Written by Victor Vu, Marketing Coordinator