Grant to Send RWU Professors and Providence Public High School Teachers to Egypt

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BRISTOL, RI (05/26/2010)(readMedia)-- Roger Williams University, in partnership with the Providence Public School District (PPSD) and in consultation with the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Egypt, announced today that it has been awarded a Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The one-year, $85,245 grant will help to bring the Egyptian and Middle Eastern/North African (MENA) regional perspective and voice to Rhode Island classrooms and the greater U.S. curriculum.

Two RWU professors – Dr. Hasan-Uddin Khan, professor of architecture, and Dr. Marybeth MacPhee, assistant professor of anthropology – will lead the project. Titled "Bridging Civilizations in the Classroom: Interactions of Space, Culture and Society in Egypt," it will provide the opportunity for eight RWU faculty and four PPSD high school teachers to travel to Egypt in summer 2011 for a four-week professional development program. Seeking to challenge conventional ways of understanding cultural differences, the project will encourage participants to go beyond geographical territory as a way to distinguish among cultures and societies, while encouraging educators to re-conceptualize area studies for 21st century classrooms.

"This Fulbright-Hays award presents a tremendous opportunity for our Providence teachers to expand their personal and professional experiences, and to do so in the company of their colleagues from a respected institution of higher education," said Providence Schools Superintendent Thomas M. Brady. "In our increasingly diverse world, and highly diverse city, it is imperative that educators embrace diversity and appreciate a range of historical and cultural perspectives. This visit to explore the Middle East/North Africa region is a wonderful example of how that can be accomplished. Great educators are also avid lifelong learners, and we are so pleased to be able to support that learning through this partnership with Roger Williams University."

During the four weeks of study, the RWU and Providence educators will build a knowledge and understanding of Egyptian and MENA regional geography, history, culture, economy, politics, international relations and languages. The group will engage with the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (the Library of Alexandria) and other organizations to infuse their curriculum development with the MENA perspective and voice.

"RWU and the Providence Public School District now have an unprecedented opportunity for our educators to revisit assumptions about the MENA region and collaboratively develop new materials and methods to bring back to our students," said University President Roy J. Nirschel. "From our Passport to Your Future Program to our recent United Nations NGO designation, Roger Williams continues to demonstrate the value of infusing a global perspective into the 21st century classroom and is committed to seeking new opportunities that further this mission."

As co-leaders of the project, Dr. Khan and Dr. MacPhee will travel to Egypt with the 12 selected educators during the program. Upon returning, each participant will also be asked to serve as a founding member to a Rhode Island Middle East Educator Roundtable.

About RWU: Roger Williams University is a leading independent, coeducational liberal arts university at which students live and learn to be global citizens. With 40 academic programs and an array of co-curricular activities on its Bristol, R.I., campus, RWU is committed to its mantra of learning to bridge the world. Under the leadership of President Roy J. Nirschel, Ph.D., the University has achieved unprecedented academic and financial successes. In 2009, U.S. News & World Report named RWU the seventh-ranked baccalaureate college in the north.

About Providence Schools: The Providence Public School District in Providence, R.I. serves nearly 24,000 students, Pre-K through Grade 12, in 45 schools. The district's mission is to prepare all students to succeed in the nation's colleges and universities, and in their chosen professions.