Office of Global Programs
News & Events
Activity Report: Fall 2008
Special Announcements
Malian Minister of Agriculture Visits UGA and Signs Cooperative Agreement
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From Left: Dean Angle, President Adams, Mr. Farley, Ambassador Diop, Dr. Bouaré, Minister Sangare, and Dr. Kanemasu |
From December 1-5, 2008, Professor Tiemoko Sangare, Mali Minister of Agriculture, led a delegation to visit the University of Georgia. The Minister’s delegation included Abdoulaye Diop, Ambassador of the Republic of Mali to the United States, Dr. Soualika Bouaré, Chief of Department, Office of Plant Protection, and Vincent Farley, Honorary Consul of Mali. The delegation visited both the Athens and Tifton campuses, the Stripling Irrigation Farm, and met with faculty from the Institute of Plant Breeding & Genetics, Department of Food Science & Technology, Peanut CRSP, Distance Diagnostics through Digital Imaging, the National Environmentally Sound Production Agriculture Laboratory, and the Department of Agricultural & Applied Economics. During the visit, Minister Sangare signed an international cooperative agreement with UGA President, Michael Adams.
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Deputy Director General of Indian Council of Agricultural research Visits UGA
From September 27 – October 4, 2008, Dr. HP Singh, Deputy Director General (Horticulture) of the Indian Council on of Agricultural Research (ICAR), visited the University of Georgia to help formulate ICAR-UGA collaboration. The visit included the Athens and Tifton campuses and Dr. Singh presented a seminar titled ‘State of Agriculture in India: Opportunities for Collaboration with Indian Institutions’. During the visit three main areas for collaboration were identified: Bioenergy, Post-Harvest Processing and Handling of Fresh Produce, and Biotechnology. UGA and ICAR are currently negotiating a Memorandum of Understanding and will be developing a work plan for collaborative activities during spring 2009.
Tim Williams Awarded D.W. Brooks Award for International Agricultura
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Dr. Tim Williams |
On October 7, 2008, Dr. Jonathan “Tim” Williams, Director, Peanut Collaborative Support Research Program (CRSP) was awarded the D.W. Brooks Award for Excellence in International Agriculture. Dr. Williams came to UGA in 1995 to join the Peanut CRSP, managed by UGA with funding from USAID. The Peanut CRSP connects American scientists with expertise in peanuts with counterparts in developing countries to solve problems over the full value chain for peanuts. Dr. Williams focuses on streamlining research management and expanding his interest in the aflatoxin and utilization aspects of the industry. Congratulations, Tim!
Consortium for Internet Imaging and Database Systems
Jean Fowler Gives Presentation in Edinburgh, Scotland
During the first week of August of 2008, Dr. Jean Fowler, International Liason, Consortium for Internet Imaging and Database Systems, made a presentation to the Pathology and Entomology faculty of the University of Edinburgh Royal, College of Veterinary Medicine at Edinburgh, Scotland. Faculty at the presentation had the opportunity to understand the DDDI (Distance Diagnostics trough Digital Imaging) system and see how it could be applied to their needs. They also analyzed how the system could provide them more control and prevention on the FAD (Blue Tongue Disease) that is affecting sheep and cattle.
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Rob and Dr. Jean Fowler marketing DDDI in a horse event in Edinburgh, Scotland |
Jean Fowler Attends Gold Key Service Meetings in Wellington, New Zealand
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Dr. Jean Fowler giving a presentation of DDDI, CAES, in New Zeeland |
Through the “Gold Key” trade service provided by the US-Department of Commerce and US Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Seervice, based at US Embassy in Wellington, New Zealand, Dr. Jean Fowler, International Liason, Consortium for Internet Imaging and Database Systems, participated in five days of pre-qualified business meetings with DDDI presentations during October of 2008. Appointments included the NZ Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries-biosecurity division, Massey University-Veterinary College, and several Crown (government supported) Agriculture Research Corporations.
International Activities by CAES
Agricultural Leadership, Education & Communication Department
Georgia to Georgia: Leadership in Action
During the month of June, Dr. Jen Williams, Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education & Communication, along with four undergraduate students: Stephen Bowman, Michael Pisciotta, Heather Savelle, and Renee Smith traveled to the Former Republic of Georgia to work with Georgian High School Students. As part of a USDA Challenge Grant, the ALEC department at UGA has been working with 8 pilot schools developing leadership and agriculture courses for high school students. This trip included site visits to 6 of the 8 pilot high schools, home visits with students, and a leadership development camp for the students. Forty high school students participated in the leadership camp held on the Black Sea. The UGA representatives taught values clarification, visioning skills, communication skills, decision making, and goal setting.
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Michael Pisciotta, Renee Smith, Jen Williams, Heather Savelle, and Stephen Bowman at the National Cathedral in Tbilisi, Georgia |
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Heather Savelle, Michael Pisciotta, and Stephen Bowman participate in a traditional Georgian toast with the Principle of the high school in Chala, Georgia |
Department of Animal and Dairy Sciece
Animal and Dairy Science Initiatives New Study in West Africa
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Dr. Nickerson takes a milk sample from a Zebu cow, which has been hobbled as part of the normal milking routine and Alex Glover observes from a safe distance |
Alexandria Glover, Veterinary student, Ramata Cisse, PhD student in Animal and Dairy Science, and Dr. Steve Nickerson, Professor, Animal Science, traveled to Bamako, Mali, West Africa in early December. The purpose of the trip was to perform a survey on Malian dairy herds to determine the prevalence of mastitis and to assess milk quality as part of an ongoing collaborative project between UGA’s College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences and the Malian Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries. Mali has approximately 10 million cows, and the typical dairy herd averages 15 cows in milk, mainly of the zebu or Fulani breed or crossed with European bulls such Montbeliards or Holsteins. Investigators hope to establish procedures for controlling mastitis as well as standards for the sanitary collection and transport of milk to improve overall production and quality for human consumption.
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From left to right, Alex Glover, Ramata Cisse, Dr. Oumar Diabate, and Dr. Nickerson in front of Diabate’s veterinary clinic on the outskirts of Bamako, Mali |
Changzhou China Government Hosts UGA delegates at Technology Transfer Conference
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Jiangsu Provence Technology Transfer Conference, China |
Delegates from The University of Georgia attended as special guests of the Secretary General of Changzhou China to the Jiangsu Provence Technology Transfer Conference in November 6, 2008. Dr. David Lee, Vice President for Research, Dr. Zhen Fang Fu, Professor of Veterinary Medicine and Dr. Steven Stice, Professor of Animal Science, GRA Eminent Scholar and Director of UGA’s Regenerative Bioscience Center participated in the conference.
Department of Plant Pathology
Dr. Martinez-Espinoza attends Spaniard National Association of Greenkeepers congress in Spain
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Dr. Martinez-Espinoza accepting the 2008 Spaniard National Association of Greenkeepers Honorific Award at the Euskalduna Congress Center in Bilbao Spain |
Dr. Alfredo Martinez-Espinoza, Associate Professor, Plant Pathology, was an invited speaker at the Spaniard National Association of Greenkeepers (AEdG) annual congress held in Bilbao, Spain from November 25-28, 2008. This congress was attended by over 250 Turfgrass Scientists, Golf Course Superintendents, Sod Producers and Sports Field managers from the different provinces of Spain and the Canary Islands. Dr. Martinez-Espinoza presented the lecture titled “Field symptoms, cultural, biological and chemical control of turfgrass nematodes”. Dr. Martinez-Espinoza was also coordinator and presenter of a pre-congress workshop entitled “Turfgrass Disease Tour”. Additionally, Dr. Martinez-Espinoza received the 2008 AEdG Honorific Award for his continuous support and advancement of the Association. Other presenters covered topics in water quality, weed management, plant selection, new equipment and technology, and professional development
UGA faculty visited Dean of the College Agriculture and Natural Resources of the National Chung-Hsing University in Taiwan
Dr. Chung-Jan Chang , Professor, Plant Pathology, visited Dr. Jenn-Wen Huang, the Dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, National Chung-Hsing University in Taiwan in November. Dr. Huang is a very successful UGA alumnus who obtained his Ph.D. degree from the Department of Plant Pathology in 1990 and became full professor in the Department of Plant Pathology of the National Chung-Hsing University 1995. He has served as the Director of Agriculture Extension Center, Head of the Department of Plant Pathology, Assistant Dean of the College and was named the Dean of the College in 2006. As the Dean of the College, Dr. Huang oversees a total of 260 faculty members and 117 staff members. The college encompasses 15 departments and 12 affiliated center/units. The college currently has 4,156 students of which 2,668 are undergraduates, 835 are MS, 498 are Ph.D., and 155 are part-time MS students. The current total yearly budget for the college is NT$700,000,000.00 (=US$20,594,000.00). Dr. Huang is looking forward a visit from CAES Dean, Scott Angle this year.
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Dr. Chung-Jan Chang and Dean Jenn-Wen Huang |
Department of Food Science and Technology
Dr. Yao-wen Huang Attends Meetings in China and Taiwan
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From Right to Left, Professor Xiaobing Du, Southwest University, Dr. Yao-wen Huang, Ed Kanemasu and Professor Xiaoli Zhou, Shanghai Institute of Technology at Georgia Center. |
From October 18 to November 3 of 2008, Dr. Yao-wen Huang, Professor, Food Science & Technology, served on the Program Organizing Committee of the 4th Food Safety Forum in conjunction with the 14th World Congress on Food Science and Technology in Shanghai, P.R. China. He was also an invited speaker for the Forum to discuss the advanced development of rapid detection technique using nanorod-based sensor on pathogenic bacteria. Dr. Huang as member of the Board of Advisers to the Shanghai Jiao Tong University had a meeting with Vice President Z.Q. Lin and Sh FDA Director to discuss food safety issues. He was also invited to serve on the National Overseas Chinese Forum Panel and Hi-Tech Conference in Beijing and Chengdu. After his trip in China, he visited scientists of the National Taiwan Ocean University in Taiwan to join projects and to serve on a doctoral student's Advisory Committee. Currently, Dr. Huang has two Visiting Scholars from China: Professors Xiaobing Du and Xiaoli Zhou of Southwestern University and Shanghai Institute of Technologist. They will continue work in Dr. Huang's lab on food safety and functional food related projects for the year of 2008-2009.
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Dr. Yao-wen Huang (Center right) met with Vice President Z.Q. Lin (Center left) of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Vice Director K. Xie (Left) and a Representative from Ministry of Science and Technology |
Dr. Martino participates in the International Congress of Food Science in Queretaro, Mexico
Dr. Karina Martino, Professor, Food Science and Technology, attended the 3rd International Congress on Food Science and Food Biotechnology on Developing Countries as an invited speaker. Her topic was “Value-added process for meat and poultry products”. This Congress was organized by the Mexican Association for Food Science, and it took place in the city of Queretaro, Mexico. The overall goal of the meeting was to present new approaches, and to promote discussion on research carried out in developing countries. Dr. Martino was awarded with the Foreign Travel assistance from the Office of the Vice President for Research for this trip.
Dr. Martino Attends Seminars in Paraguay
Dr. Karina Martino, Professor, Food Science and Technology was invited to give a series of seminars related to value-added processing and HACCP for meat and poultry products to students and faculty members of Food Technology and Chemical Engineering, at the National University of Asuncion, San Lorenzo, Paraguay. Paraguay is a developing country that is growing its exports of meat products, and it is waiting for the approval from FSIS to start exporting its products to the U.S.
Department of Biology and Agricultural Engineering Department
UGA Faculty Participates in a Global Forum of Information and Communication Technology in Tunisia
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Global Forum in Tunisia |
Takoi K. Hamrita, Professor, Biological and Agricultural Engineering and Director of the UGA-Tunisia Educational Partnership, was invited to speak on a panel in a global forum on Information and Communication Technology co-hosted by the United Nations, the World Bank, and the Tunisian Government. Other panelists included UN and global companies top executives, as well as senior government officials from Africa and the Middle East. The ICT 4 All Forum was held with the purpose of discussing development through ICT and to contribute towards realizing the goals of the World Summit on the Information Society and the UN’s Millennium Development Goals. The forum included over 1500 participants from 67 countries from the government, non-government, and business sectors. Dr. Hamrita spoke on setting up authentic partnerships for the development of indigenous expertise in Africa and the Middle East through international cooperation, and reported on the UGA-Tunisia Educational Partnership and its impact on the Tunisian higher education system as well as on UGA.
Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics
International Scholar Open Society Institute at Baku State University
Dr. Michael Wetzstein, Professor, Agricultural and Applied Economics, has been actively participating in the Academic Fellowship Program (AFP) and the Open Society Institute (OSI) Scholar at Baku State University, Baku, Azerbaijan. This program will continue for 2009 and consists of a discipline-based academic program development, mentoring/consulting activities, and recruitment. At least two visits to Baku State University will be programmed.
Academic Fellowship Program Cross-Regional Discipline Based Meeting, Istanbul, Turkey
As part of the Cross-Regional Discipline in Istanbul Turkey in November 2008, Dr. Michael Wetzstein, Professor, Agricultural and Applied Economics, participated as a facilitator for the Law and Economics Group. He organized and coordinated the joint activities of international scholars and country fellows in the South Caucasus region, developed a procedure for peer review of fellowship projects and organized a discipline meeting with the international scholars and country fellows.
Department of Entomology
Dr. Douce Across Europe
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Dr. Douce receiving title of Honorary University Professor at The University of West Hungary from Prof. Dr. Sandor Farago, Rector and Prof. Dr. Andras Nahlik, Dean, Faculty of Forestry, Sopron, Hungary during the 200 Years of Higher Education in Forestry Celebration at The University of West Hungary |
During 2008, Dr. Keith Douce, Professor and Co-Director, Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health, Department of Entomology, spent six months in Europe developing collaborations and partnerships. Dr. Douce was a Visiting Professor, Faculty of Forestry Institute of Sylviculture and Forest Protection at the University of West Hungary in Sopron, Hungary. At the university, Dr. Douce taught an Invasion Ecology course, an Extension and Outreach course with a focus on Forestry Extension, and a course on Forest Health from a North American Perspective. As a result of his teaching and collaborations at the university, the Faculty of Forestry voted to award Dr. Douce an Honorary Professorship which was presented to him during the 200 Years of Higher Education in Forestry Celebration held at The University in September. Dr. Douce also made an invited presentation and discussed collaboration opportunities with the administration and professional staff of The Hungary Plant Protection Organization in Budapest.
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Dr. Douce (center) with Dr. Milan Zubrik (left), Head of Department of Forest Protection and Game Management and Director of Forestry Research, Slovakia National Forest Center, Zvolan, Slovakia, and Dr. Andrej Kunca (right), Director, Slovakia Forest Research Institute, Banska Stiavnica |
Dr. Douce made eight presentations to several European organizations, universities and forester meetings outside of Hungary including: District Phytosanitary organizations in the Czech Republic; European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) headquarters staff in Paris, France; the University of Vienna, BOKU University in Austria; forestry departments/institutes in Slovakia and France; The Slovakian Forest Departments’ Annual Forest Health Meeting, attended by over 225 foresters and to the International Union of Forestry Research Organization’s WP 7.03.10 Methodology of Forest Insect and Disease Survey in Central Europe meeting held in Štrbské Pleso, Slovakia.
International Visitors
Kagoshima University Students Study Abroad at UGA
From September 15-19, ten students from Kagoshima University in Japan studied abroad at the University of Georgia. The group was led by Dr. Muneharu Sato, Professor, Faculty of Agriculture. During their time in Athens, the group was hosted by the UGA Collegiate 4-H Club, Dr. Chi Thai, Professor, Biological & Agricultural Engineering, and the Office of Global Programs. The students also spent one day on the Griffin campus where they were hosted by Dr. Gerald Arkin, Assistant Dean, Griffin Campus. In Griffin, the group had presentations from Dr. Mike Doyle, Dr. Ynes Ortega, Dr. Anna Resurreccion, Dr. Dick Phillips, Marilyn Johnson, and Dr. Yen-Con Hung.
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Kagoshima students with Dr. Sato at Sanford Stadium |
Thai RGJ PhD Program Representatives Visit UGA
From August 18-21, the Office of Global Programs hosted Dr. Kosan Kusamran, Deputy Director, RGJ-PhD Program, Thailand and Dr. Aran Patanothai, Khon Kaen University, Thailand. The purpose of the visit was to strengthen the relationship between UGA and the Royal Golden Jubilee (RGJ) PhD Program which is funded and administered by the Thailand Research Fund. During the visit, Drs. Kusamran and Patanothai met with CAES Dean, Scott Angle, CAES Department Heads, the Associate Vice President for Research, the Associate Director of International Affairs, the Vice President for Public Service & Outreach, and CAES faculty and students. The RGJ Program is supported by the Thai government and is aimed at increasing the number of Thai PHD graduates. The program provides funds for Thai PhD students to complete up to one year of research at internationally recognized universities. All program expenses are paid by the Thai Research Fund. In addition, funds are available to cover the cost of the UGA faculty advisor’s travel to Thailand for up to one week. UGA is in the process of signing an International Cooperative Agreement with the Thai Research Fund. The agreement includes a Graduate Training Agreement Addendum which will promote scholarly ties, faculty cooperation and the promotion of graduate training in the areas of agricultural and environmental science and technology.