UAlbany Education Professor Travels to China as Fulbright Scholar

 

ALBANY, N.Y. (December 23, 2008) -- University at Albany Education Professor David Yun Dai was named a Fulbright Scholar, joining an accomplished group of higher-education faculty and professionals traveling abroad for the 2008-09 academic year. Dai is conducting teacher surveys on inquiry-based learning in China as part of the country's educational reform efforts.

"It's an honor for Professor Dai to receive this important acclaim," said Interim Provost Susan D. Phillips, vice president of academic affairs. "He is a committed researcher and teacher, and this recognition will enhance his work and the School of Education's international reach and reputation."

Dai, an associate professor in the Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology, will meet with more than 50 senior high school principals who are pioneering a new round of curriculum reform in China. Dai will share his experiences and perspectives on U.S. education reform, as well as discuss implementation, obstacles and other potential issues.

"I think countries have much to learn from each other, on education or otherwise, and I am very privileged and honored to serve as a medium and facilitator in this mission," said Yun, who joined UAlbany's faculty in 2001.

At UAlbany, Yun teaches courses related to instruction, learning, motivation, and cognition. He has conducted classroom-based research on incorporating teaching cases and case methods in teacher education courses to facilitate teacher reflection and learning.

Dai will remain in China through March 2009.

Two visiting Fulbright Scholars, Vadim Kozlov, professor of mechanics and mathematics at Moscow State University in Russia and Chanyoung Park, associate professor of economics at Andong National University in Korea, will lecture and research at the University at Albany as part of the Fulbright Visiting Grantees program.

Both will remain at UAlbany through summer 2009.

Established in 1946 under legislation introduced by the late Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas, the Fulbright Scholar program's purpose is to build mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries. This year, about 800 U.S. faculty and professionals received Fulbright Scholar awards to lecture and conduct research abroad, joining nearly 100,000 scholars who have received a Fulbright award since the program's inception.

The Fulbright Scholar program, America's flagship international educational exchange activity, is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and administered by the Council for International Exchange of Scholars. Award recipients are chosen on the basis of academic or professional achievement and because they have demonstrated extraordinary leadership potential in their fields.

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