Marol Academy Update

The Marol Academy, the charity to which FIE donates most of its fundraising, is located in South Sudan, the world’s newest country. FIE started our association with the Marol Academy in 2008 when Jok Madut Jok from Loyola Marymount University visited FIE as a Visiting Faculty member. Jok is Sudanese by birth and founded the Marol Academy.

Since 2008, FIE has raised and donated $28000 to the Marol Academy and the funds have contributed to the following progress with regards to construction and development of the programme of studies:

– The primary school has been constructed: 9 classrooms, staff offices, library, latrines, borehole for clean water and staff compound

– 15 teachers have been recruited

– The Marol Academy has welcomed a steady stream of volunteer teachers from the UK

– Construction of the secondary school has begun, now with 2 classrooms and a science lab

– The school has now become an examination centre for state-wide end of primary level examinations

– The school has scored the highest in the entire state for three years in succession

How can YOU help?

Diversity Network Online Learning & Training

In line with FIE’s articulated values and Diversity Initiatives, we are a member of the Diversity Network which is the leading professional consortium of higher education institutions, government agencies, for-profit and non-profit organisations dedicated to advancing diversity and equity in international education.

The Diversity Network also has a schedule of online learning and training opportunities – find out more at http://diversitynetwork.org/online-learning!

New book from IIE: A Student Guide to Study Abroad

Check out the new book from the Institute for International Education at http://www.iie.org/Research-and-Publications/Publications-and-Reports/IIE-Bookstore/Student-Guide-to-Study-Abroad-2013

PIE Weekly

Are you aware of The PIE? Check it out for news and business analysis for Professionals in International Education! Why not subscribe to their newsletter!

HEA Workshop and seminar series

Are you aware of the Higher Education Academy’s workshop and seminar series? There are many events that could be of great interest and use to staff and faculty, and all events are FREE! Find out more at http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/seminar-series

Conversation Club update

In fall we launched ‘Conversation Club’, a weekly 45 minute session led alternatively by 5 FIE staff members. The aim was to provide an opportunity for non-native speakers of English to practice their speaking and listening skills. We also welcomed native speakers who wanted to gain confidence in their speaking. The Club was advertised to FIE staff and students as well as students from Frances King King School of English. The format is quite straightforward: the facilitator prepares ‘input’ in the form of a newspaper article, music or video on a given contemporary topic. Topics included healthy eating, social media, banning the veil, origins and meanings of British holidays and sport around the world. A semi-structured discussion is led by the facilitator on the topic. Light refreshments are provided.

We are pleased to announce that the Club proved to be a roaring success. Fifteen different individuals participated in the Club throughout the term, and the average session had six participants. Thanks to the hard work of Julie Andreshak-Behrman, Gabi Kubasiewicz, Rebecca Kayes, Damien Kempt and Hannah Feakes the feedback from the meetings revealed that participants were appreciative of the enthusiasm and excellent preparation of the facilitators, the opportunity to speak in a comfortable environment, and to chat with people they would not otherwise have the opportunity to meet. Many thanks also to the Facilities Team for their commitment to promoting the Club.

The Club will resume on Monday 20th January at noon with two new facilitators joining the team: Craig Johnston and Katie Russell. Please do promote the club to anyone who may find it beneficial!

Conversation Club Poster_Spring 2014