UW-Whitewater Fulbright Scholar helps Chinese University of Hong Kong transition to four-year undergraduate program

November 18, 2008

To help universities in Hong Kong reconstruct and expand their general education programs by 2012, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Professor and Fulbright Scholar Stephen Friedman will lend his expertise to the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK).

Since August 2008, Friedman has been helping CUHK transition from a three-year undergraduate program to a four-year undergraduate program.  His role is to consult with the CUHK Office of University General Education as coursework, outcomes and assessments are reviewed. Three other Fulbright Scholars are working with the same focus on other campuses in Hong Kong.

“We are supporting each others’ efforts on our respective campuses, primarily by offering collaborative workshops in our areas of expertise,” Friedman said.

Friedman previously worked to improve the quality of UW-Whitewater’s general education program in the LEARN Center on campus where he gained experience and strength in developing outcomes and assessments. “My choice of Hong Kong depended primarily upon the fit between my strengths and the project description,” he said.

“Friedman’s understanding of general education in post-secondary education, rich professional history with academic assessment, and knowledge of international education systems made him a near perfect fit for the position,” Dean of Continuing Education John Stone said.

“I have been warmly received by colleagues here and greatly enjoy the vibrant, exciting city that is Hong Kong,” Friedman said. “At this point, I am pleased with progress of my work here, and I hope that my small contributions will improve an already excellent general education program.”

UW-Whitewater Accounting Professor and Fulbright Scholar Robert Gruber will research and lecture faculty and curriculum development at the University College Dublin in Dublin, Ireland in January 2009.

The Fulbright Scholar Program sends 800 U.S. faculty and professors abroad each year to provide better understanding of U.S. views and values. “The Fulbright Scholar Program is a highly competitive national grant process administered by the U.S. Department of State,” Interim Provost Christine Clements said. “It is a testament to the strength of our faculty and the quality of our programs to have two UW-Whitewater faculty, Friedman and Gruber, selected for Fulbright grants in the same year.  The perspectives and insights they will bright back to the campus strengthen UW-Whitewater’s commitment to fostering global and intercultural educational experiences.”

For more information contact Friedman at friedmas@uww.edu.