HED Development Specialists Program
Higher Education for Development (HED) is taking applications for the Development Specialists Program, which provides opportunities for short-term assignments with USAID missions.

The Development Specialists Program was designed to allow U.S. higher education faculty and staff to work with USAID missions on short-term (two to six week) assignments to provide technical and advisory expertise.  Opportunities are available to individuals who apply for inclusion on the Development Specialists roster.  HED invites faculty and staff members of U.S. institutions of higher education to submit applications for the roster.

HED seeks expertise in fields that support USAID's priority development sectors.  For the Environmental Science sector, the designated specializations include ecology, forest management, global climate change, hydrology, and soil science.

For more information on the Program and to submit an Application, please visit our website at www.aascu.org/alo/devspecialist/devspecialist.htm.

For additional information:

Kay Ikranagara, Senior Associate
Higher Education for Development
1331 H Street NW, Suite 200
Washington DC 20005
202-243-7680
specialist@hedprogram.org

Spring 2007 Short Course in Russian
The Department of World Languages and Cultures will offer a short course in Russian language January 29 through March 7, 2007 (Mondays and Wednesdays), 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. (groups will be separated according to level). The registration deadline is January 24, 2007. To register, go to the World Languages and Cultures website at www.language.iastate.edu and click on "Academic Programs" then "Short Courses". The course is open to all Iowa State University faculty, staff, students, and members of the Ames community. There is a $200 fee. Please contact Anna Brutman or
Maria Vorozhbit for more information.

Exchange Visitor Form for Visiting Scholars (DS-2019 Forms) - Reminder
DS-2019 (Exchange Visitor Forms for Visiting Scholars) forms no longer need to be signed by the Dean of Agriculture or by Global Agriculture Programs. They may be forwarded directly to ISS from the departments.

ISU Students are the "International Students" in 11 Countries this Spring
There are currently 16 students from the College of Agriculture or on College of Agriculture programs starting their spring semesters at universities around the world.

	Country	Student	Major	University
	Australia	Case Circle	Ag Studies	University of Newcastle
		Amanda Hirsch	Animal Science	University of Tasmania
	Brazil	Ricardo Acevdeo	Ag Engineering	Federal University of Vicosa
		Karl Peterson	Electrical Engineering	Federal University of Vicosa
		Jason Wellman	Ag Engineering	Federal University of Vicosa
	China	Amanda Chipman	Animal Science	Central China Normal University
	Costa Rica	Catherine Swoboda	Agronomy	University of Costa Rica
	England	Michael Doran*	Agronomy/PSA	Royal Agricultural College
	Germany	Karl Broer	Ag Engineering	Hohenheim University
	Ireland	Emily Eggleston	Agronomy	University College Dublin
		Darcy Miller	Animal Ecology	University College Cork
		Elizabeth Sax	Biology	University College Cork
	Italy	Daniel McCoy	Entomology	John Cabot University
	Mexico	Luke Gran	Forestry	Technological Institute of Oaxaca
	New Zealand	Phillip Schuppert	Animal Ecology	Massey University
		Angela Wickman	Animal Science	Massey University
	Spain	Steva Robinson	Animal Science	Seville
	Sweden	Emily Morrison*	Animal Science	Malardalen University
	Switzerland	Allison Schnoes	Microbiology	University of Lausanne

*Second semester

Welcome to New Exchange Students
Seven students from 4 countries start their spring semester at ISU.

	Country	Name	Home University	Area of Study at ISU
	Austria	Franz-Josef Ebner-Ornig	Graz	Biorenewables
		Christoph Malzer	Graz	Biorenewables
	Brazil	Pedro Terra Limo	Federal University of Lavras	Ag Engineering
		Lucas Melo	Federal University of Vicosa	Ag Engineering
		Luciano Mendes	Federal University of Campina Grande	Ag Engineering
	Costa Rica	Marcia Cordero	University of Costsa Rica	Food Science
	Mexico	Miguel de la Madrid	Autonomous University of Mexico, Baja California	Agriculture

Summer Ag Study Abroad Programs

Applications Being Accepted for These Summer Programs

There are limited spaces available in these College of Agriculture study and work abroad programs for the summer

Exploring New and Innovative Global Agriculture Practices in Australia, Agricultural Education, May 9 - June 2. On this program, students will gain a comprehensive view of the food and fiber system in Victoria and New South Wales, Australia. Visit a 200,000 acre farm in the outback and compare that to alternative crop farms like olive, canola and lavender. Visit high school ag programs to compare agricultural education in the US and Australia and through cultural visits gain insight into the Aboriginal culture and see the very cosmopolitan city of Sydney. This program is offered in partnership with the University of Tennessee. Application deadline: January 19. Contact Greg Miller or Agriculture Study Abroad with questions or to apply.

Exploring Ecosystems Exploitation, Degradation and its Restitution in Southern and Northern Ghana, Agronomy, May 9 - 30. Students will learn about the different ecosystems in Ghana and how the social, political, cultural and agricultural needs of the country impact the environment. ISU students work on teams with Ghanaian students, using soil and water quality sampling to conclude environmental health in different ecosystems including rainforest, savannah, agricultural and urban land. Data collected becomes part of a study at a university in Ghana. Visits include Cape Coast and Elmina “castles”, the forts where many thousands of slaves were held before their transport to “the New World”; Kakum Nature Park, canopy walk and wildlife viewing; Elmina and Axim beaches; Nzulezu community, a village built entirely on stilts; Kumasi, a city that was the capital of the ancient Ashanti king; Lake Bosumtwi, created by a meteor, is the only natural lake in Ghana; Fiema Buabeng Monkey sanctuary to see two species of monkey that co-habitat with humans; Mole National Park for wildlife viewing; Artisan markets to try Kente cloth weaving and buy souvenirs; Visits and interaction with students from two universities; Visit cocoa plantations and other farming operations. Application deadline: January 19. Contact Andrew Manu or Agriculture Study Abroad with questions or to apply.

Integrated Agriculture and Food Systems: Improving Rural Livelihoods, India, Food Science Human Nutrition and Agriculture BioSystems Engineering, May 15 - June 15. This program provides a unique opportunity for food and agriculture students to develop an international perspective, work in interdisciplinary teams, practice leadership skills, and use multiple perspectives to solve real-world problems. Students will spend four weeks in Bangalore, India, where they will work in teams with Indian students from the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS). The student teams will examine current international agriculture and rural development-related issues from three perspectives: research, program implementation and policy development by looking at agriculture and rural development through government, university and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Application deadline: February 1. Contact Gail Nonnecke, Manju Reddy, Steve Freeman or Agriculture Study Abroad with questions or to apply.

International Program in Sustainable Development in the Tropics for Students in Science and the Arts, Panama, May 11 - June 4. For students with interest in fields related to international development, international agriculture, sustainable agriculture, and tropical social and biological systems, the course will examine agricultural systems in the context of the biophysical and socio-economic resources of Panama. Students will learn about sustainable development in the tropics through local lecturers and field visits on a variety of related topics. Students summarize what they have learned in a hands-on, real-life project. One possible assignment includes advising on the sustainable development of the Panama Canal watershed expansion project. Optional add-ons include intensive Spanish, creative photography and a summer-long internship. Application deadline February 1. Contact Russ Mullen or Agriculture Study Abroad for questions or to apply.

The Borlaug Summer Internship Program, Plant Sciences Institute (two months in the summer). This program is intended to provide undergraduate students exciting research, community or field experiences in an international setting - experiencing first hand some of the many factors and issues involved in international development and food production. Successful candidates will have demonstrated superior academic ability and who have course work, professional or personal experience and career interests related to international food production. Two interns are selected each year. Placement depends on availability of internships at host Institutes. Dates of internship will be negotiated with the host Institute and will vary. Credits are not offered as part of the program but students can arrange them independently with their advisor. Previous interns have worked at CIMMYT in Mexico, ICRISAT in India and at Zhejiang University in China. All expenses for the intern are covered through a grant from the Plant Sciences Institute. Application deadline January 31. Contact Shelley Taylor for questions or to apply.