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Page 4 April 21,1993 AFGRAD scholars excel ♦ Financial aid package invaluable to African students. By Davin A. Hutchins Staff Writer In 1988, Salvator Niyonzima was working as a government adviser in Bujumbura, the capital of his home country of Burundi, when he decided to enhance his skills by furthering his education in public administration. Yet instead of attending the University of Burundi, the only institution of higher learning in the country, Niyonzima began working on his master's in public administration at CSUF and didn't spend a dime- thanks to the AFGRAD Scholarship program. AFGRAD, which stands for African Graduate Fellowship Program, is a continent- wide educational program sponsored by the United Suites government and the governments of independent African nations, according to Yolandc Zahlcr, director of placement and programming of AFGRAD/ATLAS. Zahlcr heads up the placement of AFGRAD scholars from her office in the United Nations Plaza in New York. The program is designed to provide educational opportunities to Africans throughout the continent, foster friendly relations between Africa and the United States and bring skills and technology back to African nations and institutions, she said. After a rigorous examination and screening process, a handful of appl i - cants in each participating African nation are selected to be AFGRAD Scholars. "It's a very competitive program. We have probably four to five limes more people who apply for ihc program lhan people who are actually awarded the scholarship," said Zahlcr. As an AFGRAD Scholar, the university agrees to pay a stipend covering the cost of tuition, the U.S. government agrees to pay room and board, and the home government agrees to pay all international travel expenses to the American university. Insight News "When 1 found out I was selected, I had mixed feelings," Niyonzima said. "On one hand, I was very much excited because I hadn't seen the United States and I wanted to improve my English ever since high school. On the other hand, it was my first lime to ever leave Burundi, which kind of watered down my excitement." Niyonzima said that he had planned lo get his doctorate in French, but his job as a government adviser influenced his life's direction considerably. "[The job] was an enlargement of my experience and capabilities." He added thai a master's in public administration would enable him to perform belter as an official of the Burundi government when he returns this summer or perhaps later in an international organization. "My dream is to eventually work for an international organization. My American experience has taught mc io like different people because now I have been exposed to diversity." Located just three degrees south of the equator in central Africa, Burundi was originally a German colony prior to World War I until the Central Powers lost. After 39 years as a League of Nations mandate under Belgian administration, the country declared its full independence in 1962. Niyonzima said that unlike other African nations which have experienced immigration of European settlers, Burundi is populated mostly by three native African ethnic groups— the Hutu, Tutsi and Twa. "There was hardly any [foreign] settlement," said Niyonzima. Itwasn't like Algeria where many French went there to live a new life and raise their families. Many people didn't like ihc foreign government either." Although intertribal massacres have occurred in Burundi, most notably during a 1972 civil war, Niyonzima said there aren't any differences between the groups because they all share the same culture and speak Kirundi. Relations have also been noticeably more am icablc since the pass- ingof theChartcrof National Unity in 1988 which guaranteed equal rights io all iRrec ethnicities. Domingo Pereira, a civil engineering major at CSUF, is also an AFGRAD Scholar but from Guinea- Bissau, a small country of the western coast of Africa. Pereira said Guinea-Bissau was under Portuguese colonization for centuries. Then after the formation ofthe African Party for the Independcnceof Guinea-Bissau (PAIGQ and 11 years of guerilla resistance to Portuguese rule, an independent Guinea-Bissau was established in 1974. Pereira said that there is not a single university in the entire country of Guinea-Bissau, therefore all education opportunities must be pursued overseas. In 1988. Pereira trailed to the Soviet Union on scholarship, like many citizens of Guinea-Bissau, to get hisbachclor'sdcgrcc in civil engineering. During the Cold War, both the United States and the Soviet Union tried to gain a favorable influence in the newly independent African countries through assorted methods, including foreign aid and educational opportunities for African studenu. "A lot of [Soviet higher education) is theoretical. At certain times I felt 'this isn't really what I need. 'I needed something more hands-on." After this realization, Pereira said a master's from an American institution became more desirable. While working as vice director for a construction firm, Pereira said he applied for AFGRAD at the behest of his brother, a government employee. After applying in 1989, Pereira didn't hear from the AFGRAD representative for a year and thought ihey had forgotten about him. However, waiting one or two years for acceptance into the program is normal because of ihc lengthy application pro- Pcrcira plans on returning to the same construction firm after graduation in May 1994. Rakia Bonkano is a native of Nyamey, the capital of Niger, and is quadrilingual— fluent in Hausa/ Fulani, Sonray, French and English. She said she learned Sonray from her father, Hausa/Fulani from her mother, and French and English in secondary school. Bonkano said that while ihe south- cm part of the country is temperate with vegetation much like California, the north is mosUy arid for it borders on the Sahara Desert. The region, which looks similar io ihc American Southwest scattered with buites and mesas, is a place she enjoys visiting often. Niger was incorporated into French West Africa in 1896 and became a French colony in 1922. After an abortive attempt to become anautonomousFrcnch republic, Niger declared its independence from the French in 1960, but much of society was "Europcanizcd" because of French influence and settlement. Bonkano said ihat the entire educational system is based on the French system. She added that it isdifficult to get more technical degrees like business management in African universities. Originally she planned to use her degree in English from ihc University of Nyamey to leach, but she became a bit more ambitious. A woman with a business management degree in Niger is a rarity, said Bonkano, and she looks forward to the job security due to her qualifications once she returns. "I feel good that so much has been provided for me," she said. "I don't have to worry about tuition increases like other [CSUF] students. The only thing I have to worry about is studying." Pereira said he feels an obligation to invest his engineering skills back into Guinea-Bissau because Guinea- Bissau invested in him, providing him with an opportunity he may not have had otherwise. "Although at times it has been difficult," said Niyonzima, "the overall experience here in Fresno has been very positive." London semester abroad program returns ^Semester in UK's capital offered By Nick Giannandrea Staff Writer It'sbaaack. After a one year absence because of budget cutbacks, the London Semester has been reinstated for the Spring 1994 semester. "Everyone who participates comes back overwhelmed," said Carla Millar, London Semester coordinator. "They have the greatest cultural experience of their lives." The cost of the semester is $3,500, which includes round trip airfare, housing, program fee and a three- or four-day excursion outside of London. Millar also said students would need an additional $2,000 to $2,500 for living expenses. Courses offered meet general education, capstone and critical thinking requirements. Millar said the program is well rounded with courses in art, history and theatre among others. James Brouwcr. professor of history at CSUF, said the courses the London Semester offers aren't the basic courses students get in Fresno. "Every course has something built m into it," Brouwcr said. "It's nol just reading out of a book. "Students go out and participate in the surroundings. It's really a totally different kind of learning." Brouwcr added examples of how the students participate in their surroundings. He said art students gel to visit art galleries in London and theater students usually have an actor from ihe London iheatcr direct an act from a Shakespeare play. "Students get a more subtle and realistic view of themselves and the world lhan before," Brouwcr said. "This, I think, is very difficult to gain if you don't go oulsidc of ihc country." Students and instructors get the opportunity to sec the historical sights in London, rather lhan read about them in a book al CSUF. "I find il tremendously moving to find I'm walking in the footsteps of all ihc people I've studied over the years." said Brouwcr, who was also involved in the London Semester in 1986. "My favorite place in die whole world is London. To become a part of London life, to live there day after day and to do the things die people do is thrilling." The Only Credit Union You Need If you're a full or part-time CSUF employee, a family member of an employee, or a CSUF student enrolled in an education credential and/or master's degree program in the School of Education, you're eligible for FECU membership and the benefits that come with it. For more information about becoming a member, call any one ofthe numbers below. • Free interest-earning checking • Low rate loans • Starter/Student VISA Cards • Payroll services • 24-hour OPTIONTELLERs • Free use of both ATMs on CSUF campus • High rate savings accounts • Advanced degree loans • Direct deposit • 24-hour phone access • Home Equity Line of Credit •13.5%. no-fee VISA Cards • Nationwide ATM network 9 Educational Employees CREDIl UNION Toll-Free in California 1-800-538-EECU 3488 W. Shaw Fresno 275-7700 455 E. Barstow Fresno 224-7788 . 430 Pollasky St. Clovis 298-9700 2029 High St. Sclma 896-6588 SUMNCRS 255-9222 30% DISCOUNT ON BIKES, PARTS & SERVICE (with Student I.D.) 4691 E. Belmont (between Maple & Chestnut) Authorized Dealer for EEE3HI *f*r Clothes Tools Fruit FIJI Islander COMING SOON! Beds Furniture Toys FLEA MARKET & SWAP MEET At the Fresno Fairgrounds SATURDAYS and SUNDAYS 6am - 3pm For more information call 268-3646 Southeast corner of Butler and Chance
Object Description
Title | 1993_04 Insight April 1993 |
Alternative Title | Insight (California State University, Fresno) |
Publisher | Dept. of Journalism, California State University, Fresno. |
Publication Date | 1993 |
Description | Weekly during the school year. Vol. 1, no. 1 (Oct. 8, 1969)-v. 29, no. 23 (May 13, 1998). Ceased with May 13, 1998, issue. Title from masthead. Merged with Daily collegian. |
Subject | California State University, Fresno Periodicals |
Contributors | California State University, Fresno Dept. of Journalism |
Coverage | October 8, 1969 – May 13, 1998 |
Format | Microfilm reels, 35mm |
Technical Information | Scanned at 600 dpi; TIFF; Microfilm ScanPro 2000 “E-image data” |
Language | eng |
Description
Title | Insight Apr 21 1993 p 4 |
Alternative Title | Insight (California State University, Fresno) |
Publication Date | 1993 |
Full-Text-Search | Page 4 April 21,1993 AFGRAD scholars excel ♦ Financial aid package invaluable to African students. By Davin A. Hutchins Staff Writer In 1988, Salvator Niyonzima was working as a government adviser in Bujumbura, the capital of his home country of Burundi, when he decided to enhance his skills by furthering his education in public administration. Yet instead of attending the University of Burundi, the only institution of higher learning in the country, Niyonzima began working on his master's in public administration at CSUF and didn't spend a dime- thanks to the AFGRAD Scholarship program. AFGRAD, which stands for African Graduate Fellowship Program, is a continent- wide educational program sponsored by the United Suites government and the governments of independent African nations, according to Yolandc Zahlcr, director of placement and programming of AFGRAD/ATLAS. Zahlcr heads up the placement of AFGRAD scholars from her office in the United Nations Plaza in New York. The program is designed to provide educational opportunities to Africans throughout the continent, foster friendly relations between Africa and the United States and bring skills and technology back to African nations and institutions, she said. After a rigorous examination and screening process, a handful of appl i - cants in each participating African nation are selected to be AFGRAD Scholars. "It's a very competitive program. We have probably four to five limes more people who apply for ihc program lhan people who are actually awarded the scholarship," said Zahlcr. As an AFGRAD Scholar, the university agrees to pay a stipend covering the cost of tuition, the U.S. government agrees to pay room and board, and the home government agrees to pay all international travel expenses to the American university. Insight News "When 1 found out I was selected, I had mixed feelings," Niyonzima said. "On one hand, I was very much excited because I hadn't seen the United States and I wanted to improve my English ever since high school. On the other hand, it was my first lime to ever leave Burundi, which kind of watered down my excitement." Niyonzima said that he had planned lo get his doctorate in French, but his job as a government adviser influenced his life's direction considerably. "[The job] was an enlargement of my experience and capabilities." He added thai a master's in public administration would enable him to perform belter as an official of the Burundi government when he returns this summer or perhaps later in an international organization. "My dream is to eventually work for an international organization. My American experience has taught mc io like different people because now I have been exposed to diversity." Located just three degrees south of the equator in central Africa, Burundi was originally a German colony prior to World War I until the Central Powers lost. After 39 years as a League of Nations mandate under Belgian administration, the country declared its full independence in 1962. Niyonzima said that unlike other African nations which have experienced immigration of European settlers, Burundi is populated mostly by three native African ethnic groups— the Hutu, Tutsi and Twa. "There was hardly any [foreign] settlement," said Niyonzima. Itwasn't like Algeria where many French went there to live a new life and raise their families. Many people didn't like ihc foreign government either." Although intertribal massacres have occurred in Burundi, most notably during a 1972 civil war, Niyonzima said there aren't any differences between the groups because they all share the same culture and speak Kirundi. Relations have also been noticeably more am icablc since the pass- ingof theChartcrof National Unity in 1988 which guaranteed equal rights io all iRrec ethnicities. Domingo Pereira, a civil engineering major at CSUF, is also an AFGRAD Scholar but from Guinea- Bissau, a small country of the western coast of Africa. Pereira said Guinea-Bissau was under Portuguese colonization for centuries. Then after the formation ofthe African Party for the Independcnceof Guinea-Bissau (PAIGQ and 11 years of guerilla resistance to Portuguese rule, an independent Guinea-Bissau was established in 1974. Pereira said that there is not a single university in the entire country of Guinea-Bissau, therefore all education opportunities must be pursued overseas. In 1988. Pereira trailed to the Soviet Union on scholarship, like many citizens of Guinea-Bissau, to get hisbachclor'sdcgrcc in civil engineering. During the Cold War, both the United States and the Soviet Union tried to gain a favorable influence in the newly independent African countries through assorted methods, including foreign aid and educational opportunities for African studenu. "A lot of [Soviet higher education) is theoretical. At certain times I felt 'this isn't really what I need. 'I needed something more hands-on." After this realization, Pereira said a master's from an American institution became more desirable. While working as vice director for a construction firm, Pereira said he applied for AFGRAD at the behest of his brother, a government employee. After applying in 1989, Pereira didn't hear from the AFGRAD representative for a year and thought ihey had forgotten about him. However, waiting one or two years for acceptance into the program is normal because of ihc lengthy application pro- Pcrcira plans on returning to the same construction firm after graduation in May 1994. Rakia Bonkano is a native of Nyamey, the capital of Niger, and is quadrilingual— fluent in Hausa/ Fulani, Sonray, French and English. She said she learned Sonray from her father, Hausa/Fulani from her mother, and French and English in secondary school. Bonkano said that while ihe south- cm part of the country is temperate with vegetation much like California, the north is mosUy arid for it borders on the Sahara Desert. The region, which looks similar io ihc American Southwest scattered with buites and mesas, is a place she enjoys visiting often. Niger was incorporated into French West Africa in 1896 and became a French colony in 1922. After an abortive attempt to become anautonomousFrcnch republic, Niger declared its independence from the French in 1960, but much of society was "Europcanizcd" because of French influence and settlement. Bonkano said ihat the entire educational system is based on the French system. She added that it isdifficult to get more technical degrees like business management in African universities. Originally she planned to use her degree in English from ihc University of Nyamey to leach, but she became a bit more ambitious. A woman with a business management degree in Niger is a rarity, said Bonkano, and she looks forward to the job security due to her qualifications once she returns. "I feel good that so much has been provided for me," she said. "I don't have to worry about tuition increases like other [CSUF] students. The only thing I have to worry about is studying." Pereira said he feels an obligation to invest his engineering skills back into Guinea-Bissau because Guinea- Bissau invested in him, providing him with an opportunity he may not have had otherwise. "Although at times it has been difficult," said Niyonzima, "the overall experience here in Fresno has been very positive." London semester abroad program returns ^Semester in UK's capital offered By Nick Giannandrea Staff Writer It'sbaaack. After a one year absence because of budget cutbacks, the London Semester has been reinstated for the Spring 1994 semester. "Everyone who participates comes back overwhelmed," said Carla Millar, London Semester coordinator. "They have the greatest cultural experience of their lives." The cost of the semester is $3,500, which includes round trip airfare, housing, program fee and a three- or four-day excursion outside of London. Millar also said students would need an additional $2,000 to $2,500 for living expenses. Courses offered meet general education, capstone and critical thinking requirements. Millar said the program is well rounded with courses in art, history and theatre among others. James Brouwcr. professor of history at CSUF, said the courses the London Semester offers aren't the basic courses students get in Fresno. "Every course has something built m into it," Brouwcr said. "It's nol just reading out of a book. "Students go out and participate in the surroundings. It's really a totally different kind of learning." Brouwcr added examples of how the students participate in their surroundings. He said art students gel to visit art galleries in London and theater students usually have an actor from ihe London iheatcr direct an act from a Shakespeare play. "Students get a more subtle and realistic view of themselves and the world lhan before," Brouwcr said. "This, I think, is very difficult to gain if you don't go oulsidc of ihc country." Students and instructors get the opportunity to sec the historical sights in London, rather lhan read about them in a book al CSUF. "I find il tremendously moving to find I'm walking in the footsteps of all ihc people I've studied over the years." said Brouwcr, who was also involved in the London Semester in 1986. "My favorite place in die whole world is London. To become a part of London life, to live there day after day and to do the things die people do is thrilling." The Only Credit Union You Need If you're a full or part-time CSUF employee, a family member of an employee, or a CSUF student enrolled in an education credential and/or master's degree program in the School of Education, you're eligible for FECU membership and the benefits that come with it. For more information about becoming a member, call any one ofthe numbers below. • Free interest-earning checking • Low rate loans • Starter/Student VISA Cards • Payroll services • 24-hour OPTIONTELLERs • Free use of both ATMs on CSUF campus • High rate savings accounts • Advanced degree loans • Direct deposit • 24-hour phone access • Home Equity Line of Credit •13.5%. no-fee VISA Cards • Nationwide ATM network 9 Educational Employees CREDIl UNION Toll-Free in California 1-800-538-EECU 3488 W. Shaw Fresno 275-7700 455 E. Barstow Fresno 224-7788 . 430 Pollasky St. Clovis 298-9700 2029 High St. Sclma 896-6588 SUMNCRS 255-9222 30% DISCOUNT ON BIKES, PARTS & SERVICE (with Student I.D.) 4691 E. Belmont (between Maple & Chestnut) Authorized Dealer for EEE3HI *f*r Clothes Tools Fruit FIJI Islander COMING SOON! Beds Furniture Toys FLEA MARKET & SWAP MEET At the Fresno Fairgrounds SATURDAYS and SUNDAYS 6am - 3pm For more information call 268-3646 Southeast corner of Butler and Chance |