The extended deadline for applications for the January 2025 Overseas Faculty Development Seminars is July 29th at 5:00pm EDT.
Submit your application by 5:00pm on July 29th. If you have questions or want to learn more, join our informational webinar Tuesday, July 23 at 12:00pm EDT with Program Director, Jeff Badger. Register here.
These fully-funded seminars are designed for faculty and administrators at US community colleges and minority-serving institutions. The objective of the seminars is to help participants gain international experience to develop and improve curricula at their home institutions. Awardees will participate in a short-term academic program that includes round-trip travel, accommodations, meals, and site visits. The January 2025 series includes seminars presented by Overseas Research Centers in Bangladesh, India, and Senegal.
Bangladesh: Navigating the Bangladesh Paradox: The Dichotomy of Development
Over the span of two weeks, participants will witness firsthand the complexities of the "Bangladesh paradox" as it unfolds in the bustling streets of Dhaka, the expansive riverine plains of the world's largest delta, and the serene depths of the Sundarbans, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, the delicate interplay between human activity and environmental preservation is evident every day. Participants will have the chance to witness the transformative impact of microcredit initiatives, which have empowered women and fostered economic independence. Additionally, the seminar will delve into the dynamics of Bangladesh's ready-made garment industry, employing over 4 million people, predominantly rural women, providing insight into the workings of the global apparel supply chain.
India: Sustainability through Urban and Agricultural India
In addition to exploring the overlapping and cross-cutting challenges and opportunities created by India’s rapid urban development, participants will gain first-hand experience—through specialist-led site visits and cultural excursions—of India’s fascinating history, culture, languages, religions, and contemporary society that can be harnessed to address urban sustainability. Throughout the program, participants will learn from and have the opportunity to partner with university faculty engaged in international collaboration and exchanges, community leaders, and Non-Governmental Organizations engaged in programs related with Sustainable Development in India. The 2025 cohort will visit Delhi, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Jaipur and Jodhpur.
Senegal: West Africa and the Diaspora—Continuities and Transformations
This seminar will feature lectures, site visits, panel discussions, and film screenings on the history, culture, arts, economy, and political life of Senegal, with a focus on connections between West Africa and the diaspora. The seminar will also place a special emphasis on Senegal’s spiritual diversity and religious tolerance, as well as the region’s growing transnational movements and their impact on society and especially young people.
For questions, please contact fellowships@caorc.org