Rowan teaches the world

Rowan University faculty and students continue to impact the world of education locally, regionally, nationally and around the globe. This year, two professors and one student are participating in the renowned Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program, which spans 155 countries and promotes understanding between U.S. residents and residents of other countries.

Listen to the Fulbright scholars as they share their experiences teaching and learning abroad.

Dr. Stephanie Farrell: improving engineering education

The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program awarded Dr. Stephanie Farrell, associate professor of chemical engineering at Rowan University, a grant to conduct research on engineering education. “I’m thrilled to have been selected for this Fulbright Award,” said Farrell. “It is the only Fulbright program in the entire world specifically for engineering education and aligns very well with my expertise and research interests.” She is currently at the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT), Ireland, working on two research areas: the role of spatial skills in academic achievement in engineering, and conceptions of teaching among engineering faculty around the world.

In the spatial skills project, Farrell works with DIT in developing an understanding of the spatial visualization skills of Irish engineering students, how prior experiences contribute to spatial skills for first-year students in engineering and how these skills might be best improved in the context of Irish higher education. Spatial skills are closely linked with success in engineering, and Farrell believes that this research has the potential to increase student success and retention in engineering programs in Ireland.  Farrell also believes her research on conceptions of teaching will help professors better understand their role as teachers and how to effectively support and facilitate change towards student-centered teaching.

“My motivation is the quest for knowledge with the ultimate goal of improving the way we provide engineering education,” said Farrell, who will be at DIT for one year.

It is also Farrell’s first time in Ireland. “Ireland offers unadulterated natural beauty and great outdoor adventures, ancient and modern history, a variety of cultural offerings, a strong literary tradition, wonderful folk arts and exciting sports competitions.  The Irish people are extremely friendly and love to talk. It is very easy to make friends here,” she said. Farrell, who has Irish roots, was able to trace some long-lost family connections in Ireland and has been meeting some distant relatives there with whom she explored villages that were home to her ancestors.

Dr. Kauser Jahan: a Fulbright Scholar in her homeland

Dr. Kauser Jahan, a civil and environmental engineering professor in the Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering, was awarded a Fulbright U.S program grant to teach and conduct research abroad.

Jahan, who earned her B.S.E. in civil and environmental engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, chose to go back to her country to teach and conduct research and workshops. She is currently at the University of Asia Pacific (UAP), teaching engineering students about the fundamentals of sustainable design and practice through an innovative curriculum focused on project-based learning and sustainable practices. She also is engaged in initiating research focusing on algae as a source of biofuel, nutraceuticals and digestors.

Being the first female in the history of her undergraduate institution to win a Fulbright award, it made her stand out as a symbol of inspiration for engineering students in her country. “Professors are very well respected in Asian countries, and when you tell them you are a Fulbright scholar – the amount of respect you get is quite warm and humbling,” said Jahan.

“Rowan University’s model of teaching is very hands-on and demonstrative, and I have been trying to develop a similar model at UAP too,” said Jahan who currently is teaching about drinking water treatment, which is her area of expertise. She also holds seminars for students on how to pursue graduate studies in the United States.

Additionally, Jahan has been leading seminars at other institutions in Bangladesh during her free time and conducting workshops for teachers. These workshops focus in part on how to recognize student abilities, how to prepare for classes and how to conduct self-assessment after classes. She also addressed the 2015 Annual Math Olympiad attendees on the importance of mathematics in engineering and the history of women in mathematics. Recently, she presented her Fulbright experiences at the South and Central Asia Fulbright Conference held in Hyderabad, India.

“There is a lot you can learn from Asian countries and the students here, considering how limited their resources are yet how determined and hardworking they are,” said Jahan who will be in Bangladesh for four months. She also is happy to be home with her mother and enjoying her sabbatical break.

Emily Spieker: Teaching English  in Malaysia

Emily Spieker, 24, graduated summa cum laude from Rowan University in May 2014, and she is the 17th Rowan student in the past 15 years to land a scholarship through the Fulbright Program. She is currently an English Teaching Assistant (ETA) at a secondary school in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia, working closely with students to build their English knowledge, grammar and vocabulary.

“I feel very honored,” said Spieker, “I represent Rowan, and the United States of America as a whole, as I work to build strong relationships with the students and staff as well as the citizens of Malaysia. It means a lot to be trusted with that kind of responsibility.”

Apart from teaching English, her biggest goal is to boost students’ confidence in achieving academic and personal goals. She also is engaged in extracurricular clubs in the school, such as Scouts, netball, track and field and the Scrabble club. At present, she is working on developing an after-school workshop on health and wellness for the school staff and students.

Spieker finds the people in Malaysia incredibly kind and happy to share their culture, especially their food. “I am eager to explore this country further through the year,” said Spieker, who has been in Malaysia since January and will continue to teach until November. She also shares her experience of being invited to be one of the bridesmaids for her mentor. “It was a surreal experience,” said Spieker, “just another example of how kind and inviting the Malaysian culture is.”